- Conservation status
- In serious trouble
Around September, watch out for their spectacular courtship displays around Westland. Male displays include a spectacular raising of the nuptial plumes, with the neck erect, the bill snapping, and the wing feathers flicking. Once a female is attracted, the pair preen each other and intertwine their long necks, wings, and bill. After breeding season, the birds disperse throughout the country, and you may see them on coastal freshwater wetlands or estuaries.
Campaign Manager
White Heron Sanctuary Tours
The NZ White Heron’s remarkable comeback from near extinction after being hunted for its feathers gives us hope for all endangered species and is a reminder of the importance of our united and continued conservation efforts. With a population of just 200 and only one breeding ground in all of Aotearoa we hope to raise awareness and appreciation for the majestic Kōtuku and bring it out of the shadows.
We’re the Arnold family and we operate White Heron Sanctuary Tours. For 36 years we’ve been guiding visitors to observe the majestic Kōtuku, White Heron at their sole New Zealand nesting site, within the flora and fauna abundant, Waitangiroto Nature Reserve, near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island. We’re passionate about the survival and protection of the Kōtuku and all wildlife living in this special environment and with a network of 200 predator traps we’re actively putting in the mahi too! Please join #teamkōtuku and #votekōtuku and let’s make #whiteheronboty!
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