Pāteke are a small, nocturnal dabbling duck endemic to New Zealand. Once widespread across the country, they are now confined to a limited number of locations.
Northland’s east coast is one of the species’ most important strongholds. It supports one of only two remaining original wild populations, making it critical to the long-term survival of pāteke in New Zealand.
Pāteke at Northland’s key flocking sites have been counted annually each February since 1988. These long-term monitoring efforts provide valuable information on population trends and help assess how pāteke are responding to intensive predator control and habitat restoration along the east coast.
The Northland population increased steadily from around 100 birds in 2001 to a peak of almost 800 in 2014. However, flock counts are now showing an apparent decline over the past six years, with 507 birds recorded in 2026.
This decline was compounded by an outbreak of avian botulism at the Ngunguru settling ponds in January 2026, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 80 pāteke. The event highlighted the vulnerability of this nationally significant population and the importance of proactive management.
Kiwi Coast’s Eastern Coordinator, Tiff Browne, was also a Pāteke Ranger for the Department of Conservation (DOC) for many years. She is now working alongside the Department, Northland Regional Council (NRC), the Brown Teal Recovery Group, hapū and community conservation groups to better understand the drivers behind the reduced flock count and develop an action plan to support the recovery of pāteke in Northland.
Tiff said:
“Kiwi Coast is investigating the merits of carrying out a Pāteke Flock Count Census in 2027 ahead of the annual counts at the traditional sites. This could help us understand whether the apparent decline reflects a genuine reduction in population size or whether birds have simply dispersed to new flocking sites that are not currently included in the annual monitoring programme.
We’re keen to hear from anyone who knows of Northland sites where pāteke form flocks of three or more birds in summer.”
Tiff Browne can be contacted at tiff@kiwcoast.org.nz
Photo: Northland pāteke / brown teal (Malcolm Pullman)
