Nau mai haere mai e kā Tīeke.
On the 25th of January 2025 Tīeke / South Island Saddleback began their return to Coastal Otago as part of an exciting translocation of these taoka to Orokonui from the tītī islands Southwest of Rakiura.
This significant translocation is thanks to a partnership between the Rakiura Tītī Island Administering Body, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, and Orokonui Ecosanctuary – Te Korowai o Mihiwaka. The project aims to reestablish these taoka that have been otherwise lost from the mainland South Island.
Tīeke were once found across the South Island. However, the introduction of rats and stoats drove them from the mainland by the end of the 19th century. They were almost lost for good in the 1960s when rats invaded their last refuge Taukihepa / Big South Cape near the southwest coast of Rakiura Stewart Island. Luckily work was done to eradicate rats from these islands, and since then mana whenua who manage the islands for muttonbirding have been caring for these birds and transferring them to new islands to secure their future.
The relationship between project partners, the Rakiura Tītī Island Administering Body, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, and Orokonui Ecosanctuary, is central to the success of this project. ‘This project highlights the central role of mana whenua as kaitiaki of taonga species,’ says Tāne Davis, Chair of the Rakiura Tītī Islands Administrating Body. ‘It is also a very significant event in the context of protecting and restoring the biodiversity of Aotearoa, and in terms of the central role of mana whenua as kaitiaki of Tīeke and other taonga species.’
Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki is very excited to be part of the Tīeke return to mainland Te Wai Pounamu. Lyn Carter of Kāti Huirapa says ‘Tīeke are a manu taoka for Kāi Tahu whānui, and this event will re connect their whakapapa with Kāti Huirapa and our takiwā.’
Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a pivotal return point for wildlife in the mainland, providing a predator-free initiation for species before they are released elsewhere. It also provides a location for the public to engage with wildlife, such as Tīeke, not accessible elsewhere on the mainland. Amanda Symon, General Manager of Orokonui, says it will be a great privilege to receive the Tīeke and help support the next phase of their recovery on the mainland.
Support from funders and other members of the community is critical to achieving translocations like this. This includes a specially constructed aviary to temporarily house the birds funded by Dunedin Rotary Club, to a specialty education programme supported by the Otago Regional Council.
Visitors hoping to get a glimpse of these charismatic birds are encouraged to visit the sanctuary, but to be patient as it may take time for these new arrivals to settle in.
The arrival of this first lot of Tīeke is only the beginning for our team. Now the real work begins, with monitoring, and other work to ensure these manu thrive here.
There are some ways you can support tīeke at Orokonui. The easiest way is to donate. Donations allow us to cover increased staff time involved in monitoring, ensure we have plenty of kai/food for these new arrivals, and means we can respond more effectively if something comes up. Donations can be made here.