They're back! Weka returning to city fringes

The South Island’s West Coast weka species is thriving with the cheeky critters often spotted near houses on the lookout for human food scraps. Picture by Sarah Jones

Once commonly seen in and around Gisborne city, the weka population in the North Island has sadly declined to the point where the birds are rarer than kiwi.

However, it seems weka might be making a comeback and that people who think they might have spotted more weka than usual on their recent travels between Gisborne and the western Bay of Plenty could be right.

Perhaps these past few rainy years have helped boost the population of this iconic flightless bird.

Numbers in the last stronghold of the North Island weka — the East Cape region — declined during the late 1980s and early 1990s to almost extinction because of prolonged droughts.

The remaining birds were primarily in a small area between Mōtū and Tōrere.

“Since then, the population has expanded to the west of this area, which is wetter and is currently moving westward of Whakatāne and towards Rotorua,” says Rhys Burns, the Department of Conservation’s Weka Recovery Group lead.

People on Facebook have also recently commented that the birds are returning to places nearer Gisborne. Weka have recently been spotted at Otoko, Te Karaka, on Bruce Road, Kanakanaia Road, Rangatira Road and at Rere.

While DoC does not have recent monitoring to establish a density or population estimate, Mr Burns says it is likely the adult population of North Island weka in this and the Bay of Plenty region now number well over 10,000 and possibly even over 20,000.

However, he warned that situation could suddenly change again.

“Weka populations can decline rapidly, particularly in severe drought, so even if the population appears to be quite robust now, this can change rapidly.

“Weka feed on native and introduced fruits, and on invertebrates in the leaf litter. They decline in weight and stop breeding when their food supplies decline. Adult weka populations can survive short droughts as long as they are not being killed by predators.”

People in places where weka are present can support them during a hot summer by providing water and opening their organic compost area.

Mr Burns says predator control operations for mammals such as rats, stoats, and possums, likely also support the recovery of weka populations.

People wanting to help weka can control rats by using weka-safe baits (Coumatetralyl, Racumin®) or well-protected traps that prevent weka from gaining access to them.

“Do not use second-generation anti-coagulant baits  (Brodifacoum, Talon®, Pestoff®, Flocoumafen, Storm®, Bromadiolone), even in houses, as the rats do not die there and can be accessible to weka which may then die from secondary poisoning,” Mr Burns says.

Since 2000, weka were released in other parts of the North Island including Kawau Island, Mokoia Island in Rotorua, Kāpiti Island, Kawakawa Bay and on Northland’s Russell Peninsula, where DoC estimates the birds number up to 1000.

Three other weka species live in the South Island. Western weka numbers are the strongest, exceeding the Buff and Stewart Island species.

There are also weka on some of the outlying islands around New Zealand, including the Chathams.

DoC says North Island weka are fully protected. It is unlawful to hunt, kill or catch them alive by any means.

Weka are a type of rail, three to six times larger than their nearest flying relatives — the banded rail, New Zealand Birds Online says.

They have variable plumage but most are predominantly mid-brown with dorsal feathers streaked with black.

All have their longest wing and tail feathers boldly barred with black. As adults, all have red eyes, a strong pointed bill and strong legs.

North Island birds are predominantly grey-breasted with grey bills and brown legs.

Weka are naturally curious, so are often attracted to human activity, but that puts them at risk from cats, dogs and grumpy gardeners.

Weka have been known to raid vegetable gardens, pilfer poultry food and eggs, and even steal dog food from the bowl.

The birds can be heard calling mostly at dawn and in the half-hour after sunset. They have a characteristic “coo..eet” sound, which pairs deliver as a duet. The male call is lower and slower than the female’s. Other calls include booming and soft clucking sounds.

According to DoC’s website, “Historically, the weka was a significant resource for some iwi and the birds’ availability for sustainable harvest (mahinga kai) remains an important issue in weka conservation. Weka were also used by early European settlers, who gave it the name woodhen.

“The decline and destabilisation of weka populations on mainland New Zealand, which has resulted in legal protection, has inhibited mahinga kai in modern times.

“Some iwi today welcome conservation projects that would potentially enable the restoration of harvesting, while others believe that the time for harvest has gone.

“The only place where the legal harvest of weka can occur is on the Chatham Islands and on some islands around Stewart Island.”