Population restoration

200 years ago, pāteke were abundant in Aotearoa and found across the country, but numbers have significantly declined since then due to introduced predators and habitat loss.

In the year 2000, the pāteke population was estimated to be as low as just 700 birds in the wild. Considerable conservation efforts in the last 25 years have helped to increase the numbers of these rare birds, however they are still very vulnerable and could risk extinction if threats to the species are not managed. There are now estimated to be 2,500 – 3,000 pāteke. These birds are restricted to Great Barrier Island, the coastal valleys of eastern Northland and selected predator-free reintroduction sites.

Birds of a feather

Pāteke are monogamous and mate for life. In the pāteke family, the female lays the eggs and incubates them. While she does this, the male protects her and their nest from other wildlife. On average, pāteke will lay 5 – 6 creamy brown eggs at a time, and both parents will guard the chicks until they fledge, which is around 55 days after hatching.

Aside from the difference in plumage during breeding season, male and female pāteke can be differentiated by their size and the sounds they make. Males are larger and have soft calls such as trills or piping, whereas the smaller females have a rasping growl and high-pitched rapid quack.

At the Zoo

At the Zoo, pāteke eat a specially formulated pellet and insects. In the warmer months the calcium and protein content in the diet is increased as this helps with breeding condition and egg production. In the wild, pāteke eat a diverse diet including invertebrates, fungi, and vegetation.

The pāteke habitat allows for dabbling and grazing. There is a fresh pond and waterway, as well as areas for resting and breeding. Zoo visitors can see these beautiful ducks at Te Wao Nui a Tāne / The Forest habitat.

There is also a behind the scenes breeding habitat for pāteke at Auckland Zoo.

In the Wild

Origin: New Zealand

Habitat: Forest and wetlands

Conservation status: IUCN – Near threatened

How we’re helping

Pāteke bred at the Zoo are part of the Department of Conservation (DOC) breed for release programme. Every year, once the ducklings reach eight weeks of age, they are transferred to the facilities of the Pāteke Recovery Group where they will get flocked with other ducklings, prior to being released in the wild. The Zoo is working in partnership with DOC’s Pāteke Recovery Group to re-establish pāteke populations in predator free areas. DOC’s long-term recovery goal for pāteke is to establish the species as an icon of instream wetland health and conservation-friendly farming practices.

Matuku Link is a community wetland restoration project in West Auckland and located at the head of Te Henga. Te Henga is the largest mainland wetland in the Auckland region and is home to 300 plants and 45 bird species including pāteke. Auckland Zoo’s pest control team has been monitoring pest species in the forest above this wetland since 2017. This hands-on mahi helps track rodent activity in particular and measures the success of predator control, which is vital for safeguarding threatened and declining species like pāteke, pūweto (spotless crake), kōura (freshwater crayfish), and a variety of forest birds.

While the ground-based work often means bush-whacking through dense coastal broadleaf forest, monitoring by air brings a different perspective. The Zoo’s drone experts map plant species throughout the wetland, focusing on identifying invasive willows that smother native plants and clog waterways. Over time, this data helps us see the incredible progress made through pest and weed control, restoring the wetland’s natural biodiversity.

Why are we doing it?

Thanks to conservation efforts and intensive predator management, the current population trend of the pāteke is increasing. It’s important to keep up with these efforts to protect this rare endemic species, and their habitats, so their populations can continue to grow.

How you can help

By visiting the Zoo or making a donation, you are helping to support pāteke conservation work and the breed for release programme.

You can also get involved with community groups who are assisting with predator control at sites with ideal habitats for pāteke.