NZ072
Ahuriri River


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2014 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus VU resident (-) present A1
Black Stilt Himantopus novaezelandiae CR resident (1960–2001) 31–34 birds A1, A4i
Wrybill Anarhynchus frontalis VU breeding (1960–2001) 57–84 birds A1, A4i
Black-billed Gull Larus bulleri NT breeding (1960–2001) 142–221 pairs A1
Black-fronted Tern Chlidonias albostriatus EN breeding (1960–2001) 201–296 pairs A1, A4i

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2014. The most recent assessment (2014) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2014 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no unset -

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Natural system modifications happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Climate change and severe weather likely in short term (<4 years) some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1987 Lower Ahuriri Riverbed Stewardship Area (III) 2
1987 Killermont Stewardship Area (III) <1
1987 Head of Lake Benmore Stewardship Area (III) <1
1990 Ben Omar Wetland Government Purpose Reserve (-) 2
1997 Ben Avon Scenic Reserve (III) 1
2004 Ben Avon Conservation Covenant (IV) 1
2005 Ahuriri Conservation Park (V) 20

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Grassland major (>10)
Introduced vegetation major (>10)
Shrubland major (>10)
Wetlands (inland) major (>10)
Forest minor (<10)


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ahuriri River (New Zealand). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ahuriri-river-iba-new-zealand on 23/12/2024.