- Conservation status
- Extinct
Bush wrens were small, almost flightless wrens – related to riflemen and rock wrens – once found across the mainland. Their populations gradually disappeared across the first half of the 20th century as introduced rats and stoats spread. The species clung to survival on Big South Cape Island near Rakiura, until rats invaded in 1964. A rescue mission was mounted by the New Zealand Wildlife Service, with six birds translocated to Kaimohu Island. The last of the bush wrens died out in 1972.
Campaign Manager
Kapa Mātuhituhi
Kia ora!
We're a group of students from Victoria University of Wellington, currently in our honours year studying history, and we are so excited to be organising Kapa Mātuhituhi (Team Bush Wren) for Te Manu Rongonui o te Rautau! We hope that our campaign (along with providing some much-needed distraction from our dissertations) can help educate New Zealanders about Aotearoa's lost wildlife, increase awareness for our country's unique environmental history, and advocate for the species which remain. Above all, we can't wait to share with you all mātuhituhi's story, and remember this amazing little bird! #Mātuhituhi
- Share your vote
