Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
IBA Trigger species: Chatham Island Taiko (Magenta Petrel), Chatham Petrel*, Chatham Albatross**, Chatham Island Shag, Pitt Island Shag, New Zealand Pigeon (Chatham Island Pigeon), Red-fronted Parakeet (Chatham Island Red-fronted Parakeet)
* Translocated to site and breeding
** Translocated to site 2014 and 2015
Ornithological information: Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: Little Penguin, Sooty Shearwater, Common Diving Petrel, Broad-billed Prion, Grey-backed Storm Petrel, Brown Skua, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, White-fronted Tern, Black Swan, Mallard, Grey Duck, White-faced Heron, Australasian Harrier, Pukeko, Banded Dotterel, Spur-winged Plover, Welcome Swallow, Chatham Island Pipit, Shining Cuckoo, Silvereye, Chatham Island Warbler, Chatham Island Fantail, Chatham Island Tui, Skylark, Hedge Sparrow, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling.
Other species recorded: Turnstone.
NB: Weka (Buff Weka) is classified as Vulnerable (IUCN), however on Chatham Island it is an introduced invasive species and actively controlled to protect other species.
NB: The Sweetwater Reserve is protected by a predator-proof fence allowing the Chatham Petrel to breed there following translocation.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Human disturbance – Yes
Predation by alien species – Yes
Habitat loss or degradation – No
Contamination – No
Natural disaster – No
Other – No
Tuku - Nature Reserve - 1234ha - Protected area contained within site
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Tuku (New Zealand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tuku-iba-new-zealand on 23/11/2024.
