Pāteke, or brown teal, are the fourth most endangered duck in the world. Once a widespread and common duck in New Zealand, their numbers have dwindled alarmingly as a result of habitat destruction and predation. However, on Northland's east coast, pāteke numbers have increased and stabilised. These pāteke are of special interest as they are wild born pāteke that have returned to the area after being locally extinct for many years.
The Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), also known as matuku hūrepo, is a large wetland bird belonging to the Heron group. A secretive bird with a distinctive booming call, it is more often heard than seen. Australasian bitterns are endangered in both Australia and New Zealand. Bittern like shallow water with plenty of reed or rush-like vegetation. They need permanently wet areas they can feed in year – round and good, safe places free from animal pests and predators to nest and raise their young.
Kākā and korimako are currently rare on the Northland mainland, but exist in good numbers on the nearby offshore islands. It is hoped that over time they will naturally reestablish on the mainland in response to the significant amount of pest control being carried out by groups and projects linked in to Kiwi Coast. Every five years, a survey is carried out to track their return as part of the Kiwi Coast’s long term Indicator Species Monitoring Program. Two survey's have been carried out to date, in 2016 and 2021. The third survey is being carried out over the summer of 2026.