Pāteke

Pāteke/brown teal are among New Zealand’s most critically endangered birds , with fewer than 2,500 remaining in the wild. Rotoroa is a refuge for pāteke/brown teal who move between Waiheke and the island — rarely seen, but very much at home in our wetlands and shorelines. Every sighting is a reminder of the role sanctuaries play in keeping this species on the path to recovery.

What They Are

Pāteke/brown teal are a small dabbling duck species found only in New Zealand. Once widespread across lowland freshwater wetlands, they're now among our rarest waterfowl—with only 2,000–2,500 living in the wild. Their unique lifestyle makes them somewhat akin to wetland rodents, spending much of their time on land and feeding on a mix of plants and insects.

From Widespread to Endangered

Pāteke/brown teal were once common throughout New Zealand, but have suffered steady decline since the late 1800s. Today they're restricted to Great Barrier Island, coastal valleys of eastern Northland, and a handful of reintroduction sites. Habitat loss and predation have pushed them toward extinction.

Rotoroa's Conservation Role

In 2015 and 2016, breeding pairs of pāteke/brown teal—translocated from Christchurch's Peacock Springs—were released into Rotoroa Island's wetlands. Approved by DOC's pāteke recovery group, all birds are fitted with transmitters for regular monitoring. By establishing a population here, we're creating a stronghold for this endangered duck and boosting advocacy for its survival.

Hope for the Future

As wild pāteke/brown teal populations exist on nearby Coromandel and Great Barrier Island, our resident birds have the potential to breed and naturally disperse, strengthening connections between populations and growing New Zealand's rarest waterfowl back from the brink.

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