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Whio are unique to New Zealand and feature on our $10 note.
They are one of only four species of duck in the world that spend their lives in river
torrents.
With fewer than 3,000 birds left, whio are rarer than kiwi.
They live in clean fast-flowing waterways in the upper catchments of both main islands,
feed almost entirely on aquatic larvae found in turbulent water, and are recognised as
an indicator of river system health.
Because extensive river torrents do not exist on off shore Islands where whio might be safe,
they are difficult to secure from extinction. Whio rely on large-scale pest management on
the mainland catchments to protect their fast-flowing river habitats
DOC – in partnership with more than 40 public and private organisations around the country
– currently spends around $900,000 per annum on whio recovery
Work is focussed on protecting the habitat and controlling invasive threats, like stoats,
around high priority ‘security sites’ – some of which are not currently fully
operational
There are an additional 18 recovery sites and volunteers underpins recovery work
A new partnership between the Department of Conservation and Genesis Energy will provide
$2.5 million over five years which will allow DOC to double the level of recovery work being
undertaken –bringing the remaining four ‘security sites’ up
to a fully operational level.
Genesis Energy will provide technical expertise and staff support to complement the monitoring,
survey, protection and pest control work that DOC already has underway.
This partnership will help us to realise the true value of our $10 note.