Aspiring Biodiversity Trust

Aspiring Biodiversity Trust Est. 2017: to protect & restore indigenous biodiversity of the Makarora & Wilkin Catchments from Ridge to River ~ connecting people with nature

The Aspiring Biodiversity Trust intends to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity within the Makarora/ Makarore Wilkin/ Otanenui Catchments from Ridge to River (part of Mt Aspiring National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site). At the same time raising awareness of the importance of the natural world and connecting people with nature! The project area encompasses many of Aotearoa’s iconic a

nd highly threatened species such as rock wren pīwauwau, kea and blue duck whio of the Wilkin and Siberia Valleys. The beech/podocarp forest for kaka, mohua and long-tailed bat pekapeka-tou-roa and the braided river for black-fronted tern tarapiroe and wrybill ngutuparore. The location has unique cultural significance to mana whenua and includes high-country farmland.

20/04/2026

Male and female Rock Wren Pīwauwau. A joy to see pairs of theses endangered alpine specialists whilst doing the mahi for the species at our study sites in the Siberia and upper Wilkin valleys. We love hearing of your sightings too when out "Naturing"! Conservation Week/Te Wiki o Te Taiao is here!

19/11/2025

Makarora Whio ❤️ (Blue Duck, Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) family 2025 season! Five ducklings 🎉😍 Class III: Ducklings up to 3 weeks old
This is "incredible" to see following such intense unsettled weather with extreme river levels and mass debris this season. The ABT team were *surprised and *delighted to see these "packrafting rapid jumping ducklings" over the weekend! All ABT invasive predator control traps are re-baited and ready to go. Giving these endangered ducklings a fighting chance to get to fledgling stage.

Super important to keep this mahi going! All donations greatly appreciated 😊😘
#ʟᴏᴠᴇɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ .ducks

Makarora Whio ❤️ (Blue Duck, Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) family 2025 season! Five ducklings 🎉😍 Class III: Ducklings up ...
19/11/2025

Makarora Whio ❤️ (Blue Duck, Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) family 2025 season! Five ducklings 🎉😍 Class III: Ducklings up to 3 weeks old. This is "incredible" to see following such intense unsettled weather with extreme river levels and mass debris this season. The ABT team were *surprised and *delighted to see these "packrafting rapid jumping ducklings" over the weekend! All ABT invasive predator control traps are re-baited and ready to go. Giving these endangered ducklings a fighting chance to get to fledgling stage. Super important to keep this mahi going! All donations greatly appreciated 😊😘
#ʟᴏᴠᴇɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ

Extreme rain and snow melt events this season resulted in "bank to bank" flooding of the Makarora, with water levels up ...
16/11/2025

Extreme rain and snow melt events this season resulted in "bank to bank" flooding of the Makarora, with water levels up over the flood plane. Oystercatcher or Banded Dotterel eggs lost, and chicks not fledged unlikely to have survived. Tarapirohe Black-fronted tern (BFT) and Wrybill were not yet nesting due to earlier flood events. Flood levels were such that most Southern Black-backed gull nests and eggs were also washed away with higher nest sites addressed by ABT staff. With sustained high river flows, ABT staff and volunteers out with jet boat support augmenting/maintaining invasive predator control and monitoring BFT roost/nest relocation.

Back in the Siberia! Where the Makarora Whio breeds.... Whio ❤️ (IUCN Endangered) are having a tough start to the season...
03/11/2025

Back in the Siberia! Where the Makarora Whio breeds.... Whio ❤️ (IUCN Endangered) are having a tough start to the season with high water levels, flooding conditions and late snow. We have been accessing invasive predator control areas that are outside avalanche risk until such times when alpine access is suitable and all traps from ridge to river can be effectively and safely serviced ~ from ridge to river where our known whio territories identified. Hopefully in advance of any new whio ducklings 😘 Whio depend on clean, fast-flowing rivers and are at risk from events like flooding and severe weather that can destroy nests or sweep away food sources. Thanks to for aiding access and their ongoing support towards ABT threatened species programmes.

15/10/2025

In advance of the ABT annual braided river bird walkover survey (weather delayed) a Packraft assisted assessment was conducted to find out what the braided river birds are doing during all this changeable weather and to get on top of any Karoro Southern black-backed gull (invasive avian predator of eggs and chicks of braided river birds) nests established.
The endangered Tarapirohe Black-fronted terns have started to recolonise however more wet weather to come so likely to remain transient until things settle, Ngutuparore Wrybill busy foraging along the water's edge but no signs of nesting yet... likely that some nests of other species such as South Island pied-oystercatcher and banded dotterel have been lost to high water levels.. Ru always on the sniff for any stray hedgehogs! .packrafting .packrafts

Wrybill News! The path of migration continues...... ✈ Ngutuparpre Wrybill (Leg Band: C99645) recently recorded at Lake ...
18/09/2025

Wrybill News! The path of migration continues...... ✈ Ngutuparpre Wrybill (Leg Band: C99645) recently recorded at Lake Ellesmere amongst a flock of wrybill on its way to the breeding grounds of the South Island braided rivers. Last September this bird was recorded at the Catlins and was originally banded by ABT as a chick on the Makarora braided river (Dec 2022). Perhaps this year she will return to breed... we look out for her during our annual monitoring survey. She is quite distinguishable with a slightly downcurved bill which was also noticeable when banded as a chick. Thanks to Ben Ackerley for his awesome observation and photo. Ben was one of our young participants on the 2024 Makarora Field Camp! Well done, Ben 🎉

From Coast to River ~ the Ngutuparore Wrybill returns to its breeding ground on the braided rivers of the South Island f...
08/09/2025

From Coast to River ~ the Ngutuparore Wrybill returns to its breeding ground on the braided rivers of the South Island from their coastal wintering grounds in the North Island. At this time of the year, they are fighting amongst themselves for nesting territory whilst feeding on aquatic insects along the water's edge.
We hope to see fledglings again this season through sustained ABT invasive predator control. Adult - Makarora Braided River, South Island. Immature flock - Pūkorokoro Miranda chenier bank, North Island - RL Hufton

For "World Lizard Day" Cascade Gecko (Mokopirirakau "Cascades) ❤️ This rare lizard likes cliffs & scree slopes in select...
15/08/2025

For "World Lizard Day" Cascade Gecko (Mokopirirakau "Cascades) ❤️ This rare lizard likes cliffs & scree slopes in select areas of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
ABT initiated a reptile survey with Carey Knox and Trent Bell (expert herpetologists) in the Siberia Valley (2024). Previously Cascade Gecko had been recorded within 2km (in an adjacent alpine basin of the Southern Alps). The habitat very similar but unfortunately no reptiles were detected, despite rigorous night/day survey effort. Further highlighting the national importance of the previously identified remnant population. Knox, C, D. & Bell, T. (2024). Siberia Stream Lizard Survey, Mt Aspiring National Park. Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, NZ.

Delighted to feature our 8 years of mahi on the Makarora Braided River as one of the case study sites for the developmen...
11/07/2025

Delighted to feature our 8 years of mahi on the Makarora Braided River as one of the case study sites for the development of a Best Practice Management Plan for Tarapirohe/ Black-fronted tern. A fantastic day bringing together a room full of expertise for the benefit and longevity of this endangered species. Like many birds breeding on braided rivers, there are multi-threats to consider, including those outside of breeding locations. A need for a holistic approach was agreed.

Rachel Hufton presenting for Aspiring Biodiversity Trust
Active BFT Workshop participants with BRaid. Thanks Sonny, Nick and Frances for bringing this together as a continuation of the 2025 BRaid Seminar 👏

Address

5944 Haast Highway
Wanaka
9382

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Aspiring Biodiversity Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Aspiring Biodiversity Trust:

Shortcuts

Share

Category