NZ088
Hunter 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
Black-billed Gull Larus bulleri NT breeding (1969–2010) 66–193 pairs A1
Black-fronted Tern Chlidonias albostriatus EN breeding (1970–1995) 44–62 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
1990 Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (UA) 21
2009 Hunter River Stewardship Area (III) 47
2009 Hawea Conservation Park (V) 24

Habitats

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


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