The takahikare raro (New Zealand storm petrel) was thought to be extinct for more than 150 years until its remarkable rediscovery in the Hauraki Gulf in 2003. Today, this tiny seabird remains one of Aotearoa’s greatest conservation success stories, with ongoing monitoring suggesting signs of recovery. From a species believed lost forever to a symbol of hope for seabird conservation, its story highlights the importance of predator-free breeding habitats and the globally significant role of the Hauraki Gulf.

Sleek, sharp-eyed, and often misunderstood, the kāruhiruhi (pied shag) is one of the Hauraki Gulf’s most skilled underwater hunters. But beyond their familiar wing-drying pose lies a deeper story, one shaped by changing coastlines, long-held myths, and the important role seabirds play in linking ocean ecosystems to life on land.

Fast-moving, agile, and closely tied to the coastline, the tara (white-fronted tern) is one of the Hauraki Gulf’s most familiar seabirds. But behind the graceful dives and flashes of white wings lies a deeper story, one shaped by changing oceans, vulnerable nesting sites, and the delicate balance between sea and shore.

Small, secretive, and active mostly after dark, the kororā (little blue penguin) lives surprisingly close to us, yet much of its life goes unseen. From predators on land to pressures along our coastlines, these tiny seabirds reveal just how fragile the space between sea and shore can be.

Graceful above the waves and relentless beneath them, the tākapu (Australasian gannet) is one of the Hauraki Gulf’s most iconic seabirds. But behind the spectacle lies a deeper story — one of shifting food webs, changing ocean conditions, and the pressures these birds face both at sea and on land.

The Hauraki Gulf is one of the world’s most important seabird regions — and many of its residents are rarely seen. The Ōi (grey-faced petrel) spends most of its life far out at sea, returning only at night. You’re more likely to hear it than see it — a haunting call drifting through coastal forest after dark. Out of sight, but quietly shaping the ecosystems around us.

What if a fungus could take control of an insect’s body and force it to climb to the perfect place to spread its spores? Cordyceps might sound like science fiction, but these real-life “zombie” fungi are quietly at work in forests around the world—including here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Keen to build practical outdoor skills, gain NZQA qualifications, and be part of protecting taonga species? Te Korowai o Waiheke is offering a limited opportunity for Ngāti Paoa whānau to train in predator trapping and outdoor first aid — with hands-on, paid experience alongside our Waiheke trappers. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to learn, connect, and make a real difference. For details - read more below.

You're sailing on a globally significant seabird superhighway right here in the Hauraki Gulf. Aotearoa hosts a staggering one-third of the world's seabirds, and this Gulf is their critical sanctuar, home to five species found nowhere else, including the world's rarest bird, the endangered tara iti (NZ fairy tern), and the Takahikare raro (NZ storm petrel), famously rediscovered after being thought extinct. But these avian treasures are facing an unseen crisis: our elegant commuters, the Kawau tikitiki (Spotted shag), are declining by a shocking 6% per year. They are the canary in the coalmine, and what happens to them signals a critical change in our marine ecosystem. Read the full story to meet these birds and discover why their survival depends on us.

Having lived between the rugged peaks of the Colorado Rockies and the lush, coastal forests of Waiheke Island, Aotearoa New Zealand, I've experienced two vastly different, yet equally passionate, approaches to protecting our natural world. While my life in Colorado taught me about securing land against development and managing coexistence with large wildlife like bears and elk, my time on Waiheke with Te Korowai revealed a profound focus on restoration and healing—eradicating invasive predators to bring an entire ecosystem back into balance. This journey across continents has shown me that conservation isn't a one-size-fits-all practice; it's a dynamic story deeply shaped by place, culture, and history, offering powerful lessons that can bridge global understanding and strengthen local action everywhere.

Each spring, a tiny traveller, the shining cuckoo or pīpīwharauroa, returns to Aotearoa after a 4,700-kilometre flight from the Pacific, a remarkable journey for a bird that weighs less than a letter. Its piercing call rings through the bush while its green-bronze feathers keep it almost invisible, and its life story is just as astonishing: a master of disguise that slips its egg into a grey warbler’s nest, a fearless feeder on toxic caterpillars, and a time-honoured sign for planting kūmara. Discover the secrets of this elusive bird, and how a simple window decal can help protect it - in the full article.

Trading mountains for beaches & bush tracks, 22-year-old Jack spent the winter chasing stoats and hauling traps across Waiheke Island. Days began with a quiet hui and end caked in mud, scented faintly of rabbits and rotten eggs—but every step feels worthwhile. Alongside Te Korowai’s trapping team, he discovered the thrill of conservation in action: scrambling through gorse, lifting trap lids with suspense, and learning from seasoned trappers who share a single mission—to make Waiheke predator-free. It’s exhausting, often unseen work, but each muddy bootprint edges the island closer to a historic ecological victory. (Pic: Te Ata, Stoat Trapper)