Download the publication

Survey of Australasian gannet colonies on Whakaari (White Island) – Bay of Plenty (PDF, 6,876K)

Summary 

On 23 Nov 2024, an aerial survey was made of the three gannet colonies along the western and northern cliffs of Whaakari. Aerial photographs were taken by members of the Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust (contracted by DOC) and these images were later counted to come up with a new estimate of breeding pairs. There were 4649 pairs spread across the colonies. This is 12% decline since the last aerial census completed in Nov 2015 when 5306 pairs were counted. Both surveys in the past 10 years are well below the 6662 pairs counted in 1980. The reasons for the declines are unknown but there was no evidence that past or recent volcanic activity disrupted breeding at this site. Changes in the marine environment are more likely. Australasian gannets are considered to be a species at high risk should highly pathenogenic avian influenza (HPAI) make it to New Zealand. It is currently not present here but the virus is spreading amongst other seabird species in the Southern Ocean.

Publication information 

Gaskin, C., Fitzgerald, N., Whitehead, E., and Whitehead T. 2024. Whakaari Takapu Australasian Gannet Morus Serrator Aerial Survey. Report prepared by Northern NZ Seabird Trust for the Department of Conservation. 20 p.