Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
IBA Trigger species: Northern Royal Albatross, Stewart Island Shag, Spotted Shag, Red-billed Gull.
Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: Little Penguin, Sooty Shearwater, Little Shag, Royal Spoonbill, Variable Oystercatcher, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, White-fronted Tern, Rock Pigeon, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, Bellbird, Skylark, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling.
Other species recorded: Broad-billed Prion, White-faced Storm Petrel, Black Shag, White-faced Heron, Paradise Shelduck, Australasian Harrier, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Mallard, Australian Magpie.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Human disturbance – Yes - For the most part visitor activity at Taiaroa Head is well controlled. The Nature Reserve is entry by permit only and strictly controlled. Other areas are open to the public, however volunteer wardens at Pilots Beach control the sometimes large numbers of visitors gathering to watch Little Penguins coming ashore.
Predation by alien species – Yes -
Habitat loss or degradation – No
Contamination – No
Natural disaster – No
Other – No
Taiaroa Head - Nature Reserve - Protected area contained within site
Taiarao Head - Lighthouse Reserve - Area contained within site
Pilots Beach - Recreation Reserve - Area contained within site
Otekiho - Local purpose (wildlife) reserve - Area contained within site.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Taiaroa Head (New Zealand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/taiaroa-head-iba-new-zealand on 23/12/2024.
