NZ102
Waiau River Southland


Site description (2014 baseline):

Key biodiversity

IBA Trigger species: Black-billed Gull, Black-fronted Tern

Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: Black Shag, Pied Shag, Little Shag, Spotted Shag, White-faced Heron, Pukeko, Australian Coot, Black Swan, Canada Goose, Para-dise Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Duck, Grey Teal, NZ Shoveler, NZ Scaup, Australasian Harrier, NZ Falcon, Pukeko, Marsh (Baillon’s) Crake, South Island Oystercatcher, Variable Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Banded Dotterel, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, White-fronted Tern, Rock Pigeon, NZ Kingfisher, South Island Fernbird, Welcome Swal-low, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, South Island Tomtit, Silvereye, Bellbird, Tui, Skylark, Hedge Sparrow, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling, Australian Magpie. Other species recorded: Eastern Bar-tailed Godwit.


Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity



Protected areas

Ferry Reserve - Conservation Area - 2ha - Protected area contained within site

Waiau River Mouth - Conservation Area - 420ha - Protected area contained within site

Waiau River, Piko Piko - Conservation Area - 12ha - Protected area contained within site

Waiau River - Marginal Strips - 234ha - Protected area contained within site

Waiau River, Clifden - Conservation Area - 34ha - Protected area contained within site

Clifden - Scientific Reserve - 14ha - Protected area contained within site

Wairaki River, Otahu - Conservation Area (incl. marginal strips) - 186ha - Protected area contained within site

Waiau River, Monowai Road - Conservation Area - 34ha - Protected area contained within site

The IBA includes borders with and/or includes areas of the Dean Forest Conservation Area, Mangapiri Forest Conserva-tion Area, Jericho Forest Conservation Area, Paddock Hill Conservation and Fiordland National Park. Significant wetland restoration at Rakatu Wetlands and Te Wae Wae Lagoons through Waiau Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust.


Site access / Land-owner requests




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