Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
IBA Trigger species: Black-billed Gull, Black-fronted Tern, Wrybill
Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: White-faced Heron, Australasian Harrier, Canada Goose, Paradise Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Teal, Californian Quail, Pukeko, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Variable Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Banded Dotterel, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, NZ Pigeon, Rock Pigeon, Shining Cuckoo, White-fronted Tern, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swal-low, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, Silvereye, Bellbird, Skylark, Hedge Sparrow, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yel-lowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling, Australian Magpie. Other species record-ed: Black Shag, Little Shag.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Human disturbance – Yes - Anthropogenic disturbance due to multiple river and riverbed users can impact on breeding and feeding seabirds and shorebirds.
Predation by alien species – Yes - Feral cats, rats and hedgehogs are present within the site. Dogs can also be a problem. Trapping and riverbed group activities and presence can mitigate impacts
Habitat loss or degradation – Yes - Weeds encroaching on nesting habitat
Contamination – No
Natural disaster – Yes - Flooding can impact on nest sites
Parasite or pathogen - No
Other – No
Waiau Rivermouth - Scenic Reserve - 40ha - Protected area contained within site
Waiau River - Marginal Strip - 130ha - Protected area contained within site
Waiareka Downs - Conservation area - 8ha - Protected area contained within site
Mason Waiau Riverbeds - Conservation Area - 36ha - Protected area contained within site
Lottery Riverbed Mason River Confluence - Conservation Area - 27ha- Protected area contained within site
Mason River - Marginal Strip - 16ha - Protected area contained within site
Cabbage Tree Island - Conservation Area - 2ha - Protected area contained within site
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Waiau River (New Zealand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/waiau-river-iba-new-zealand on 23/12/2024.
