Waddling into the Wild – Whio Ducklings Make a Splash
Whio (blue duck) are one of New Zealand’s most iconic and endangered river birds. With fewer than 3,000 left in the wild, they are rarer than some species of kiwi, found only along fast-flowing mountain streams.
That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be part of the national breed-for-release programme, helping to restore whio numbers one duckling at a time.
This season, one of our breeding females laid seven eggs, five of which were fertile. After careful artificial incubation, four ducklings successfully hatched between October 8–11, two of them needing tiny “moon boots” to straighten their feet.
They’ve since been transferred to Isaac’s Wildlife Trust to begin their next chapter, learning to swim in whitewater and developing survival skills before a future release into the wild, likely on the West Coast.
And the work continues, the same female is already sitting on a second clutch of four eggs, showing how powerful this programme can be when it’s supported with care and intention.
Little Browns, Big Futures – Pāteke Ducklings Off to Explore
Once widespread across New Zealand, the pāteke (brown teal) is now one of our rarest native waterfowl, with numbers only recovering thanks to intensive predator control and dedicated breeding efforts.
That makes every successful hatch not just a celebration, but a critical step in the survival of a species.
Our long-term breeding pair, Charlie and Lucy Brown, welcomed six ducklings this spring, hatched mid-August from eggs laid in early July. These young birds were transferred to Isaac’s in October to join a flock and begin preparation for their eventual release into the wild, potentially in the Fiordland region.
With spring in full swing, Charlie and Lucy are now expected to lay a second clutch in the coming weeks, continuing this important legacy of restoration and rewilding.
Wings Unfold – Kārearea Soars Back to the Wild
One of the most moving moments this spring came with the release of a rehabilitated kārearea (New Zealand falcon), one of Aotearoa’s most magnificent native raptors.
After extended recovery at the Kārearea Falcon Trust in Marlborough due to a wing injury, she was flown into Queenstown and picked up by our team on October 7.
We assisted with her release at Akarua Winery in Bannockburn, where she soared straight from the box into the skies, later spotted circling the area in the days that followed.
She received supplementary food via a hack box during her first few days of freedom. It was a proud moment to support her journey, and a reminder of the deeper purpose behind the work we do.
