If you visit Mangawhai and don't notice the tara iti — the fairy tern — you weren't looking. You can hardly be blamed; the bird is small, fast, hard to tell apart from a white-fronted tern at a distance. But the tara iti is the most endangered bird in New Zealand, and one of the only places it still breeds is the dune system between Mangawhai and Te Arai.
How few are left
Roughly 40 adult breeding pairs as of the last count. Forty, in the whole world. The colony has been managed by DOC and a small army of local volunteers for decades. Predator-proof fencing, intensive monitoring, the lot.
Where to actually see them
The Tara Iti Wetlands boardwalk is your best bet — high tide pushes the birds up close. Late afternoon light is best. Don't approach the fenced dune areas; bring binoculars instead.
How to help
- Keep dogs leashed everywhere along the dune system
- Drive to the carpark, walk in — don't drive on the beach
- Don't fly drones near the colony (technically a fine-able offence)
- Donate to NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust if you've enjoyed your visit