Mātātā returns to Wellington after 70-year absence

Fernbird sighting at Parangarehu Lakes signals conservation success

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

A secretive native bird not seen in the Wellington region for about 70 years has been spotted at Lake Kōhangaterā in East Harbour Regional Park. The Mātātā, or fernbird, classified as regionally threatened and vulnerable, was discovered during a baseline survey, marking a significant sign for local biodiversity and the success of ongoing conservation efforts.

The Mātātā, a species of secretive native bird generally absent from the Wellington region for roughly seven decades, has been found at Lake Kōhangaterā in East Harbour Regional Park. The Greater Wellington Regional Council said the birds are hard to spot because they spend most of their time within shrub canopies and live among dense wetland vegetation, foraging for insects and other small invertebrates. Their reliance on high-quality, diverse wetland habitats makes their presence an encouraging development for the area's biodiversity.

Bird surveyor Shane Cotter described the discovery as significant both for the species and the park. "This is exciting news as fernbirds have been absent from the lower North Island [Wellington and Wairarapa] for around 70 years except for a few small populations on Wellington's west coast. They are described as poor flyers so to locate them at the Parangarehu Lakes was a surprise," Cotter said.

Lee Hunter, representing Taranaki Whānui, said the discovery was an encouraging sign of the value of ongoing conservation work at the lakes. "We recently discussed the re-introduction and return of Mātātā, so a baseline survey was conducted, and we found that they had returned on their own," Hunter said.

Greater Wellington director of delivery Jack Mace said the finding is a welcome reminder of the importance of sustained conservation efforts. "It's fantastic to see mātātā at Parangarehu Lakes. These birds are not common at all so to find them here is a real sign that the efforts of council, iwi, and volunteers to protect biodiversity, restore wetlands, and knock back introduced predators are paying dividends," Mace said. He added that finding these birds is a good sign for local wildlife and shows why continued protection and restoration of East Harbour Regional Park and all regional parks across the Wellington region is needed.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The return of a native bird species indicates improving wetland health and successful predator control in the region.
The discovery validates ongoing conservation efforts by council, iwi, and volunteers, and offers hope for other threatened species.
It demonstrates that natural recolonisation is possible even for poor-flying birds, informing future reintroduction strategies.

Background

Fernbirds (Mātātā) are secretive, ground-dwelling birds endemic to New Zealand. They are poor fliers and depend on dense wetland vegetation for foraging and shelter. Habitat loss and introduced predators have caused significant declines across their range. In the lower North Island, including Wellington and Wairarapa, the species had been effectively absent for around 70 years, with only a few small populations persisting on the west coast of the region.

Key Perspectives

Shane Cotter (bird surveyor): Called the discovery exciting and noted the surprise of finding the birds at Parangarehu Lakes given they are poor fliers and have been absent from most of the lower North Island. Lee Hunter (Taranaki Whānui representative): Viewed the discovery as an encouraging sign of the value of ongoing conservation work, noting that a baseline survey found the birds had returned on their own. Jack Mace (Greater Wellington director of delivery): Said the finding is fantastic and a sign that efforts to protect biodiversity, restore wetlands, and control predators are paying off.

What to Watch

Continued monitoring of fernbird populations at Parangarehu Lakes and potential expansion to other wetlands.
Further predator control and wetland restoration efforts in East Harbour Regional Park.
Possible future reintroductions of other native species as ecosystems recover.

Sources

Native bird spotted in Wellington for first time in about 70 years · RNZ New Zealand Headlines

Checked

9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

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Partly supportedMātātā returns to Wellington after a 70-year absence.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “A species of secretive native bird generally not seen in the Wellington region for about 70 years has been spotted at Lake Kōhangaterā, in East Harbour Regional Park.”
SupportedThe fernbird sighting signals conservation success.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “These birds are not common at all so to find them here is a real sign that the efforts of council, iwi, and volunteers to protect biodiversity, restore wetlands, and knock back introduced predators are paying dividends”
SupportedA Mātātā was spotted at Lake Kōhangaterā in East Harbour Regional Park.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “A species of secretive native bird generally not seen in the Wellington region for about 70 years has been spotted at Lake Kōhangaterā, in East Harbour Regional Park.”
SupportedThe Mātātā is classified as regionally threatened and vulnerable.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “The Mātātā, or Fernbird, was classified as 'regionally threatened: vulnerable'”
SupportedThe birds were found during a baseline survey.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “We recently discussed the re-introduction and return of Mātātā, so a baseline survey was conducted, and we found that they had returned on their own,”
Partly supportedCotter said fernbirds had been absent from the lower North Island for around 70 years except for a few small west-coast populations, and that finding them at Parangarehu Lakes was a surprise.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “This is exciting news as fernbirds have been absent from the lower North Island [Wellington and Wairarapa] for around 70 years except for a few small populations on the Wellington's west coast. They are described as poor flyers so to locate them at the Parangarehu Lakes was a surprise.”
SupportedHunter said the baseline survey found the birds had returned on their own after re-introduction and return had been discussed.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “We recently discussed the re-introduction and return of Mātātā, so a baseline survey was conducted, and we found that they had returned on their own,”
SupportedMace said the sighting showed council, iwi and volunteers’ conservation efforts were paying dividends.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “These birds are not common at all so to find them here is a real sign that the efforts of council, iwi, and volunteers to protect biodiversity, restore wetlands, and knock back introduced predators are paying dividends,”
SupportedMace said the sighting was a good sign for local wildlife and showed why regional parks should keep being protected and restored.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Finding these birds is a good sign for local wildlife. It shows why we need to keep protecting and restoring East Harbour Regional Park and all regional parks across the Wellington region.”