Native animals

North Island saddleback being checked
before release into Boundary Stream

Birds

The arrival of humans in New Zealand started a wave of bird extinctions. Early losses were brought on by Maori demand for food supplies and by predators kiore (Polynesian rat) and kuri (Maori dog).

By around 1600, about 25 percent of New Zealand's native land-based birds and half the sea birds had gone. Eleven species of moa were lost prior to 1760. Many more birds have become extinct in the past 150 years.

Three of the bird species previously recorded in the Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve area -piopio (native thrush), NI bush wren and huia - are now extinct.

But birds have flourished since the mainland island project began. There are now at least 24 native bird species and 11 introduced species.

Reintroductions

Control of pests and predators and greater availability of food resources, due to decreased competition, has enabled the reintroduction of several species. Further reintroductions may include North Island saddleback, weka, stitchbird, parakeets and kaka.

North Island robin

North Island robin were reintroduced in 1998. After eight years, robin numbers are over 120, and are seend throughout Boundary Stream and neighbouring reserves.

North Island brown kiwi

The North Island brown kiwi was once common in the area. In the last 100 years though they have declined rapidly and the last call was heard in the reserve in 1997. A project to reintroduce kiwi to Boundary Stream has been in progress since 1998. The young kiwi released into the reserve have come from eggs sourced from the wild in the eastern Kaweka Ranges and are raised in captivity. Once they reach 1kg they are considered stoat proof and are released into Boundary Stream. There are now over 20 kiwi in Boundary Stream and the first chick (from re-established parents) hatched in March 2005.

North Island kokako

The North Island kokako re-introduction program began in 2001 with the transfer of 10 wild kokako from Te Urewera National Park. Kokako are endangered with only 1400 birds remaining, and they became extinct in Hawke's Bay over 100 years ago. Five pairs of kokako were placed in separate aviaries with the intention of releasing their offspring. Three pairs did not bond and were released in February 2004. Two pairs raised three chicks which were released in May 2004. The remaining birds were released into the reserve in August 2004. Their first 'wild' breeding season was extremely successful with eight out of nine chicks fledging.

Tieke (saddleback)

In September 2004 38 tieke, (saddleback) were transferred to the reserve. The tieke were caught on Cuvier Island off the coast of the Coromandel in late August. This reintroduction is ground-breaking, being the first to transfer a species previously extinct on the mainland to an area protected by trapping and poisoning alone. While there were promising signs, no chicks eventuated and the fate of many of the released birds is unknown. However, valuable information was gained on transferring tieke, and their behaviour and ecology in a mainland habitat. A second transfer is proposed to supplement the population in 2007.

Invertebrates

Many interesting invertebrates can be found at Boundary Stream.

Ghost moth (puriri moth)

This large, bright green moth is the largest found in New Zealand. It only lives for a few days, just long enough to mate and lay its eggs.

Peripatus

Although its body looks like a worm, it has 15-16 pairs of clawed feet and the windpipe of an insect. Fossils resembling peripatus have been found in rocks up to 500 million years old.

Huhu beetles

The grubs are a delicacy to some people. After pupating they emerge as a dark brown, fearsome-looking adult.

Weta

Around at the time of the dinosaur, some species of weta are among the world's heaviest insects. They have evolved to take the place of mice on the forest floor but are prey to birds and rats. Five of New Zealand's 70 weta species are found at Boundary Stream.

Powelliphanta land snails

These ancient land snails are voracious meat-eaters eating earthworms, slugs and smaller snails. The snails date back over 100 million years but are threatened by possums, rats and pigs (which eat them), by goats, deer and farm stock (which trample them) and by land clearance and farming practices (which change their natural home).

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