Biodiversity - Introduction

A native tui

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals, and ecosystems in an area. New Zealand's biodiversity is unique.

Biodiversity is essential for our existence - healthy biological resources and ecosystem processes are needed for clean water, soil and air.

Globally, biodiversity is in decline and the rate of biodiversity loss is accelerating. In New Zealand, one-third of our birds are now extinct and three-quarters of the remaining species are threatened.

Part of Wellington's identify is its unique natural areas and landscapes - its biodiversity. Examples include penguins and pingao around the rugged South Coast, flax-covered coastal escarpments, dolphins in the harbour and tall miro and matai in dense remnant forests.

Main Threats

The main threats to Wellington's biodiversity are further habitat loss and introduced pest species.

Habitat Loss

Wellington's once continuous range of ecosystems is now a patchwork of isolated fragments.

Current Habitat Cover

Enlargement (677Kb PDF)

Historical Habitat Cover

Enlargement (562Kb PDF)

Wellington has lost 95% of its lowland forest with most of our wetlands and dune systems gone. Many streams are now piped.

Pests

More than 27,000 species were introduced to New Zealand. Native plants are now becoming smothered by exotic weeds or eaten by animals like goats, deer and possums.

Native birds, lizards, frogs and insects (including weta) are victims of predators such as stoats, rats and cats.

Controlling Wild Goats

How You Can Help

Remove invasive weeds from your garden and grow native plants in their place.
Join a local environmental restoration group.
Keep your cat inside at night.
Save the stormwater drain for rain.
Reduce, reuse and recycle your waste.

Planting for Native Wildlife brochure (97Kb PDF)
Stop Weeds brochure (788Kb PDF)
Planting Natives brochure (709Kb PDF)

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Bird Projects in Wellington

The Kereru Discovery Project aims to boost the number of kereru (New Zealand's native woodpigeon).

Kereru Discovery Project

Masters student Kerry Charles is studying Wellington's kaka population - and she needs your help.

Calling all Kaka

The Council's Role

Wellington City Council aims to protect and restore biodiversity through a range of projects and services.

Natural habitat
Council programmes aim at planting appropriate ecosourced native species across Wellington. This will create a variety of habitats in dunes, wetland, streams and forests. The Council works to restore these habitats closer to their original, natural state.
Native species
Council-funded facilities such as Otari-Wilton's Bush and Zealandia provide habitat for a range of native species. These facilities, along with Wellington Zoo, are involved in advocacy and education programmes for native species.
Planting
Council programmes such as the Native Vegetation Planting Programme and the Community Greening Programme aim to plant appropriate species and transition some areas from exotic to indigenous plant life.
Pests
The Council's pest management programme works to control plant and animal pests, such as banana passionfruit and possums.

Animal Pests

Biodiversity Action Plan

The Council's Biodiversity Action Plan for Wellington:

outlines our overall vision
contains more in-depth information on the local biodiversity
profiles our biodiversity and outlines the main issues for each area.

The action plan also coordinates biodiversity activities, and identifies local priorities and actions to protect and restore biodiversity.

These biodiversity activities include pest control, revegetation planting, and partnerships with other organisations and groups.

The action plan helps to make sure that the national targets set by the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (2000) are translated into local action.

More Information

Myfanwy Emeny
Biodiversity Coordinator

Phone:	(04) 803 8549
Email:	myfanwy.emeny

Overview
Strategy & Plans
Biodiversity
Introduction
Kereru Discovery Project
Calling all Kaka
Open Space
Climate Change
Sustainability
Links