Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
IBA Trigger species: Yellow-eyed penguin, Stewart Island Shag*, Black-fronted Tern,
White-fronted Tern
*No count. Stewart Island Shags (VU) will forage fairly close to shore (i.e. within IBA boundaries) around high tide. They also move in and out of the harbour to their colony at Taiaroa Head.
Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: White-faced Heron, Black Swan, Canada Goose, Paradise Shelduck, NZ Shoveler, Mallard, Grey Teal, Australasian Harrier, Pukeko, Variable Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Banded Dotterel, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Rock Pigeon, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, Silvereye, Bellbird, Hedge Sparrow, Skylark, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling.
Other species recorded: Australasian Crested Grebe, Australasian Gannet, Black Shag, Little Shag, White Heron, Royal Spoonbill, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Pacific Golden Plover, Eastern Bar-tailed Godwit, Antarctic Tern, Eastern Rosel-
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Human disturbance – Yes - Set nets and other fishing activity
Predation by alien species – Yes - Dogs, cats, stoats, ferrets and rats
Habitat loss or degradation – No
Contamination – Yes
Natural disaster – No
Other – No
Aramoana - Protected Area - Protected area contained within site
Heyward Point - Conservation Area - Protected area contained within site
Heyward Point - Scenic Reserve - Protected area contained within site
Aramoana - Recreation Reserve - Protected area contained within site
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aramoana Otago Harbour (New Zealand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aramoana-otago-harbour-iba-new-zealand on 22/11/2024.
