From Planning to ActionSouth Head Builds a Scaffolding for Future Conservation Success
Twelve months on from the South Head Gap Analysis workshop, coordinated conservation mahi across the peninsula is now being delivered on the ground.
Last year’s workshop, hosted by The Forest Bridge Trust in partnership with the Department of Conservation through the DOC Community Fund, brought together landowners, iwi, agencies, and conservation partners to map predator control, identify gaps, and align efforts across the landscape.
This work forms part of a two-year DOC-funded project designed to optimise a lasting framework for conservation, a scaffolding that will continue to support and strengthen community-led efforts well beyond the life of the project. This framework is designed to be used by the community for many years to come to protect tara iti / fairy tern, matuku hūrepo / Australasian bittern, and pāteke / brown teal.
Strong results across the landscape
At South Head, the successful fledging of three tara iti / fairy tern chicks this season is being recognised as a key milestone in the ongoing recovery of one of Aotearoa’s most endangered birds, following many years of sustained predator control and habitat protection by DOC. “It’s humbling to support the incredible work South Kaipara Landcare has been doing for more than 25 years to control predators and pest plants on South Head,”
says Project Manager Helen Jamieson. “And to help strengthen the buffer zones around DOC’s work protecting tara iti breeding sites.”
The season’s fledgling success reflects ongoing protection across the peninsula.
South Head supports critically threatened species, including matuku hūrepo / Australasian bittern, a species now in serious decline.
Once widespread across Aotearoa, the species has lost around 95% of its wetland habitat nationally. It is also highly threatened in Australia and is now believed to be extinct in New Caledonia, leaving literally only a few remaining breeding sites globally.
“South Head holds small but extremely important populations,”
Helen says. “That makes these remaining wetland systems critically important for the future of the matuku hūrepo.”
Last year, Dr Virginia Moreno coordinated an extensive survey of bittern across South Head using sound recording. The results confirmed what locals already know — bittern are there!
Helen Jamieson says, “What many residents didn’t realise is just how vanishingly rare it is to have bittern breeding in your backyard.”
Those acoustic bittern recorders will soon be deployed again across the peninsula, with landowners encouraged to contact Heather Steadman if they are interested in hosting a recorder on their property.
Predator control delivering measurable impact
Since July 2025, predator control efforts across South Head have resulted in 1,279 predator catches, targeting stoats, weasels, ferrets, rats, hedgehogs, and feral cats.
“The response from landowners has been outstanding,”
says Georgie Hedley, from The Trust’s Predator Control Team. “Their willingness to support access for monitoring and trapping has made a huge difference on the ground.”
Georgie says accurate reporting is now central to improving outcomes.
“We encourage trappers to use the Trap.NZ app. It helps us identify hotspots, track trends, and improve how we respond across the landscape.”
People at the centre of conservation
The Forest Bridge Trust’s Community Liaison Heather Steadman is a familiar face across South Head, working at the heart of the connection between people and place.
“Getting out into the community has been fantastic,”
she says. “Each conversation is a chance to connect people not only to the project, but to each other.”
Each event becomes an opportunity to bring people together, not only to understand the work underway, but to identify landowners, volunteers, and new connections who want to be involved.
“There’s something powerful about people from different backgrounds finding common ground in protecting what’s here.”
A former volunteer with South Kaipara Landcare, Heather now plays a key role in strengthening engagement across the peninsula, linking community energy with on-the-ground conservation work.
“To be part of a community-led effort protecting endangered species where I live, and helping leave a legacy for my grandchildren, that’s what makes this meaningful,”
Heather says.
Looking ahead
As the project continues, South Head remains a place where endangered species are still present, and community action is delivering measurable conservation gains that can impact future generations.
“It’s been fantastic to meet and work with the people who call South Head home and who care so deeply about protecting its treasures,”
says Helen Jamison.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people. For more information on how you can get involved with South Head Conservation, please email Heather –