March is whio awareness month, when young adult whio that have been raised in captivity are released into the wild. 

Whio are taonga, a treasured species to which Māori have strong cultural and spiritual ties, yet there are less than 3000 living in the wild. This iconic bird, which features on the $10 note, is threatened by habitat loss and predation. 

Whio are believed to be an ancient species of waterfowl and have unique features, including being one of only a few waterfowl in the world that live on fast-flowing rivers. This habitat leads to them being key indicators of healthy rivers and streams.

Keep an eye on DOC’s website and on  Whio Forever on Facebook and Instagram for ways to get involved in the stories, events and competitions planned for the month. 

Where to spot whio

The birds are limited to specific catchments, including:

Te Urewera mainland island; Whirinaki Forest; Tongariro Forest; Manganui o te Ao; Oparara River; Wangapeka and Fyfe rivers; Styx and Arahura rivers; northern Fiordland.

Special mention: Spot a whio pair along the Arohaki Lagoon Track in Whirinaki.