Threatened species

Due to many new pest species being introduced (such as possums and wild ginger), the native animals and plants that make our region so special are becoming rarer. Habitat loss is another huge pressure on our native flora and fauna, with diminishing quantity and quality habitats for native populations to call home.

Northland Regional Council staff contribute to monitoring programmes run by other agencies and community groups such as kiwi call counts, bird counts, pāteke (brown teal) monitoring, Australasian bittern monitoring and threatened species recording. Northland Regional Council reports through the five-year State of the Environment Report on several terrestrial metrics including native plant cover, habitat distribution, the status of pests in the region, new pest incursions and the status of native plant and animal species including kiwi.

Kākahi – freshwater mussels
Kākahi – freshwater mussels
A vital element within Aotearoa New Zealand’s freshwater ecosystems.
Mayfly
Mayfly
The mayfly is the oldest surviving winged insect on the planet and is found throughout New Zealand and the world.
Shortjaw kōkopu
Shortjaw kōkopu
The shortjaw kōkopu is a native fish that can often go unobserved, due to its shy, nocturnal habits.
Trithuria inconspicua - little plant of the lake floor
Trithuria inconspicua - little plant of the lake floor
This tiny plant is only found in the sandy shallows of Northland dune lakes.
Bats (pekapeka)
Bats (pekapeka)
This taonga is New Zealand’s only native land mammal.
Australasian Bittern (matuku-hūrepo)
Australasian Bittern (matuku-hūrepo)
Once seen congregating in large flocks, bitterns are now only rarely seen.