Matata Wildlife Refuge, Kiwis

Continuing with New Zealand’s birdlife, my attention shifts to the coastal wetland of Matatā Wildlife Refuge Reserve, also known as Te Awa o Te Atua Lagoon. Part of New Zealand’s wider wetland ecosystem, Matatā represents a coastal lagoon system, where freshwater flowing from the land meets saltwater from the sea. This creates brackish water that changes with the tides and rainfall, creating conditions that only certain plants and animals can thrive in.

At around 110 ha, the reserve isn’t huge, but it is still larger than most of the wetlands that remain today. In fact, over 80% of wetlands across New Zealand are smaller than 10 ha, largely because many were drained or modified for agriculture and development. While it’s not on the scale of massive systems like South Island’s Awarua Wetland (approx 20,000 ha), it still ranks as a sizeable and important site. In regions like the Bay of Plenty, where less than 1% of the original wetland area remains, this reserve is especially valuable, serving as a core habitat.

The refuge supports around 43 bird species, and some of the easiest to spot are out in the open. Let’s meet a few of them. The New Zealand Scaup (pāpango) is a true diving duck, often disappearing beneath the surface for several seconds at a time before popping back up somewhere completely different. The Grey Teal (tētē-moroiti), on the other hand, stays at the surface, dabbling and tipping forward to feed, often in small, busy groups.

The Paradise Shelduck (pūtangitangi) is hard to miss. As one of the noisier species, it gives loud, honking calls, especially from the female, often heard before they’re seen. Usually in pairs, the dark-headed male and chestnut-bodied female move together, chattering back and forth across the water as if mid-conversation. In contrast, the New Zealand Dabchick (weweia) keeps a much lower profile. With almost submarine-like ability, it can compress its feathers tightly against its body and slip beneath the surface without a splash. Once underwater, it can swim surprisingly long distances, resurfacing far from where it started, a neat escape tactic when threatened.

Then there are the shy, secretive species, hiding in the reeds, working very hard at not being found. For instance, the North Island Fernbird (mātātā) sticks close to cover, with only its sharp “u-tick” call giving away its presence. Its elusive nature has earned it the nickname “bush ghost”, and it’s a master of stealth, scurrying through the reeds like a mouse. But it is still curious, and if I mimic its call by clicking my fingers, there’s a reasonable chance it might pop its head out of the reeds long enough to assess what’s happening before just as quickly disappearing back into the scrub.

Another is the Australasian Bittern, a stocky, heron-like bird. It is one of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered wetland species, with fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild, making it even less common than the kiwi. Its decline is closely linked to the loss of wetland habitat, and as a specialised hunter, it doesn’t adapt easily to different environments.

At Matatā, it’s known as the “swamp ninja”, famous for its sky-pointing stance. When threatened, it freezes in place, stretching its neck upward and turning its body so it resembles a tall, thin reed. If the surrounding vegetation is moving in the wind, the bittern will even sway along with it, blending seamlessly into the landscape and becoming almost impossible to spot.

The lagoon also supports visiting and migratory species. Shorebirds like the Bar-tailed Godwit pass through at different times of the year, taking advantage of the rich feeding grounds created by tides bringing in nutrients and stirring up food. This long-legged bird makes one of the longest non-stop migrations on Earth, travelling from Alaska to New Zealand.

Wetlands play an incredibly important ecological role, filtering water, trapping sediments, and helping reduce flooding. Beyond birds, they support fish, invertebrates, and plant species adapted to constantly changing water levels. With so many wetlands disappearing, this lagoon is an essential refuge, supporting wildlife and keeping the ecosystem functioning as it should.