On this page:
Backyard biodiversity
The Waikato region is made up of a diverse range of ecosystems, plants and animals. However it is also one of the regions with the greatest indigenous biodiversity loss in New Zealand. Approximately 75 per cent of the natural areas on land in the Waikato region have been lost, with 223 species now threatened with extinction. Under the Resource Management Act territorial authorities are tasked with the responsibility to manage biodiversity on private land.
The Hamilton Halo project - bringing tui back
Unlike other urban areas, Hamilton city has very few iconic native species like tui, bellbird and kereru. These species are important pollinators and dispersers of native plants, and are also highly valued by residents of the city. Environment Waikato designed the Hamilton Halo project to help bring some of these native birds back into urban areas, starting with a key iconic species of the Waikato – the tui.
Tui have a winter feeding range of up to 20 kilometres, when they are known to commute into the city from summer nesting forests to feed on native and exotic plants. Small numbers of tui have been tracked returning from the city to forest areas outside the city. Landcare Research studies show that some tui visit Hamilton each year between May and August. However no tui are recorded in Hamilton during the breeding season.
To increase the number of tui visiting the city, breeding success must increase in the forest ranges. Unfortunately results from recent studies have shown that tui nesting success is very low – only about a quarter of monitored nests fledged young at all. This is mainly due to the high population of ship rats and possums, which climb trees and invade tui nests, eating the eggs and chicks. To improve nesting success, Environment Waikato carries out annual rat and possum control at selected high priority sites in a 20 kilometre feeding range radius (halo) around Hamilton city. Click on the thumbnail image to the right to view a larger map of the Hamilton Halo project area.
Environment Waikato works with land owners to control pests at key habitat sites within the halo so the numbers of pests – possums and rats – are reduced before tui start to breed each October, giving the chicks a fighting chance of surviving to fledge. More tui surviving to leave the nest will mean more birds going out to forage, visiting Hamilton city and its surrounds. Other benefits of this pest control that should result are an increase in the variety of other birds, plants and invertebrates (worms, snails and other important insects).
The Hamilton Halo project works with Hamilton City Council and land owners to achieve pest control and plantings at key sites within the city, to provide safe habitat for tui to breed once they have begun to visit the city regularly. Whilst the project is focused on tui, it is hoped the pest control efforts will attract other birds to live and breed in the city, such as bellbirds.
Find out what you can do to welcome tui back to the city by reducing rat and possum numbers, and by planting your garden with tui-friendly plants.
Tui sightings
If you see a tui in the Hamilton Halo area, we would like to know. The information you provide will help us to identify and investigate any patterns that might occur. Information on locations of sightings may be passed on to Landcare Research for research purposes only. You can let us know by filling in our online Tui sighting form.
When you complete the form, please tell us your details and provide the following sighting details in the message section of the form.
Sighting details:
- Date seen
- Location
- Number seen
Further information
For additional advice and information on effective methods of pest control contact 0800 BIOSECURITY (0800 246 732).
For advice on planting in Hamilton city contact the Gully Restoration programme on (07) 838 6878 or visit www.gullyguide.co.nz.
For advice on other ways you can assist in bringing biodiversity back into the Waikato region, call Biodiversity Advice Waikato on 0800 BIODIV (0800 246 348) or visit www.waikatobiodiversity.org.nz.
For help with pest plants contact Weedbusters on (07) 855 6463 or visit www.weedbusters.co.nz.
Landcare Research have information available on bird population monitoring.
Check out Tui time - a range of educational activities for teachers and students produced by the New Zealand Ecological Society.
Check out our information on native plants and animals, possums and plant pests.
Supported by
