Harakeke, Pingao, Kawakawa, Karamu These taonga plants have ...

Tamure/snapper, Flounder,
Kahawai, Yellow Eyed Mullet,
Kingfish, Grey Mullet, Trevally,
Gurnard, Parore, Stargazers,
Stingrays, Bronze Whalers
Many of New Zealand’s saltwater
fish stocks are in decline.
These salt water species are found
around the Islands and are caught
seasonally throughout the year.
Taonga bird species
Migratory and other birds
Matuku – Australasian Bittern
(Botaurus poiciloptilus)
This is a nationally endangered
species.
This bird lives in shallow, densely
vegetated wetlands.
It hides among raupo reeds and
scrub.
They hunt fish, frogs, eels, mice
and young birds. Their numbers
have fallen due to drainage of
wetlands. They are found in
wetlands of Matakana Island.
Kotuku – White Heron
The Kotuku or White Heron is
extremely rare.
Kotuku had mythical status for
Maori because of their rarity and
beauty. This beautiful bird visits
Matakana on rare occasions.
Kuaka/Hakakao – Bar-tailed
godwits – known locally as
Curlews.
(Limosa lapponica)
Bar-tailed godwits are the most
common Arctic migrant to New
Zealand. They make the longest
non-stop flight of all birds –11,000
kilometres from Alaska to New
Zealand in only 5-6 days. They are
found in coastal roosts around the
Islands. These birds have been a
common food source for the Hapū
for generations however, due to
loss of habitat, both locally and
internationally, this species is in
decline and the need to protect
this habitat is paramount to
ensure their continued presence
within the eco-system is
maintained.
Section 3 – Matakana and Rangiwaea Hapū Management Plan – 29 October 2012 – vers 10.2 – Page 18