Taiaroa Head (31248)
New Zealand, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Taiaroa Head
Central coordinates: Latitude: -45.7752, Longitude: 170.7277
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 76
Area of KBA (km2): 8.38275
Protected area coverage (%): 50.44
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: IBA Trigger species: Northern Royal Albatross, Stewart Island Shag, Spotted Shag, Red-billed Gull. Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: Little Penguin, Sooty Shearwater, Little Shag, Royal Spoonbill, Variable Oystercatcher, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, White-fronted Tern, Rock Pigeon, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, Bellbird, Skylark, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling. Other species recorded: Broad-billed Prion, White-faced Storm Petrel, Black Shag, White-faced Heron, Paradise Shelduck, Australasian Harrier, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Mallard, Australian Magpie.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 30 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 30 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human disturbance – Yes - For the most part visitor activity at Taiaroa Head is well controlled. The Nature Reserve is entry by permit only and strictly controlled. Other areas are open to the public, however volunteer wardens at Pilots Beach control the sometimes large numbers of visitors gathering to watch Little Penguins coming ashore. Predation by alien species – Yes - Habitat loss or degradation – No Contamination – No Natural disaster – No Other – No