Kapiro Conservation Trust

Our volunteers are protecting kiwi and rare native wetland birds - such as bittern and dabchick - that live on parts of Rangitane Stream and linked wetlands.

Dabchicks (also called weweia or NZ grebe) are small diving birds that were widespread across Aotearoa in the past, but their numbers have fallen to a low level, only about 2,000 individuals.

Bitterns (matuku) have also dwindled to less than 1,000 birds, and their official threat status is ‘nationally critical’.

To protect these special birds, we're planting native trees & wetland vegetation, controlling predators and creating safe sheltered wildlife corridors around streams and linked waterways. We’re also improving water quality and taking other steps to protect the natural environment.

Our project 'Friends of Rangitane Stream' has achieved a lot so far-

• We’ve planted more than 20,000 native trees and riparian plants. ‘Trees That Count’ has donated many of our trees (details at: https://grow.treesthatcount.co.nz/planters/friendsofrangitanestream/)

• We’ve trapped/eliminated more than 2,000 harmful predators since 2019 (you can find our trap records for Friends of Rangitane Stream at https://www.kpcct.kiwi/what-we-do/log-trap-catch.html).

We collaborate with other local groups because we believe in teamwork - we can achieve much more by working together