NZ097
Mataura River


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important 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 List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Black-billed Gull Larus bulleri NT breeding 1947-2006 6,063-30,887 breeding pairs A1, A4i
Black-fronted Tern Chlidonias albostriatus EN breeding 1983-2001 40-43 breeding pairs A1, A4i

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2014) may differ.


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 area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration medium
Pollution happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Human intrusions and disturbance happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
- Robert Creek (Name to be confirmed) Stewardship Area <1
1971 Waituna Wetlands Scientific Reserve 40
1976 Awarua Wetland Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance -
1987 Mataura River Stewardship Area 2
1987 Waikaia River Stewardship Area 1
1987 Hut Site Stewardship Area <1
1987 Toetoes Harbour Spit Stewardship Area 1

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Introduced vegetation major (>10)
Shrubland major (>10)
Wetlands (inland) major (>10)
Marine Intertidal minor (<10)
Marine Neritic minor (<10)
1. IUCN Habitat classification.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mataura River (New Zealand). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mataura-river-iba-new-zealand on 22/11/2024.