Saving tara-iti, shell by shell

In the dunes of Bream Bay, DOC workers and volunteers are shifting shells by hand to build safer nesting habitat for tara-iti. With only about 45 birds left, every nest matters. Producer Liz Garton tags along on this important working bee.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for your science news.LEARN MORE:Listen Checkpoint covering the 2025 tara-iti breeding seasonMangawhai is one of only four nesting spots for tara-iti, but a local community leader is warning of major environmental concerns3D printed eggs helped ensure a record-breaking 2024 breeding seasonFind the OCW episodes mentioned in the podcast Alison Balance on an egg retrieval and Ayana Piper-Healion’s lizard hunting episode.GUESTS:Ayla Wiles, DOC’s Tara-iti Programme LeadAri Carrington, Patuharekeke Te Taiao UnitRobyn Davies, Waipu About Tern volunteerTHIS EPISODE:(00:00) Meet tara iti, New Zealand’s rarest endemic breeding bird.(06:41) What we know about tara iti and their remaining breeding sites.(11:52) Captive rearing and the breakthrough lifting chick numbers.(13:43) GPS tracking reveals the birds’ long-distance journeys.(16:46) Volunteer monitoring and the birds’ distinctive personalities.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details