A record 277 hihi (stitchbirds) fledged on Tiritiri Matangi Island this breeding season. Earlier this month, 40 hihi were relocated to the Auckland Council managed Shakespear Open Sanctuary. They join Shakespear’s small but thriving population translocated in 2024.

There is a total population of only around 2000 hihi nationwide. Te Hauturu-o-toi Little Barrier Island has the only naturally-surviving population since the 1880s.

The translocation project was possible through the collaboration of Ngāti Manuhiri, Auckland Council, the Hihi Conservation Charitable Trust, Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society and conservation research institutions.

More here.

Image: Hihi Conservation Charitable Trust