DOC's work the Australasian crested grebe

Lake Pearson/Moana Rua in Canterbury has been designated a wildlife refuge to help protect the grebe. is one of the few remaining breeding sites for kāmana, and their numbers appear to have remained stable here for several decades.

Wildlife refuge status is one of New Zealand’s highest forms of legal protection for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitats. This designation allows the Minister of Conservation to exercise discretion over permissible activities on the lake and its margins. For instance, there are restrictions on motorised boats on the lake and predator control measures will hopefully allow grebes to increase their numbers in years to come.