The Great Kererū Count was an annual citizen science project aimed at tracking the population and distribution of the native New Zealand pigeon, also known as the kererū, kuku or kukupa. The event ran for eight years, with the final count taking place in 2021. It encouraged New Zealanders to participate by sharing observations of kererū, helping to gather important data on their numbers, locations, and feeding habits.
The project was crucial for understanding the health and conservation needs of the kererū, a bird vital for the regeneration of native forests, as it is the only species capable of dispersing the seeds of New Zealand's largest native trees. Over the years, participants contributed to a significant database, with more than 64,000 observations and 144,472 kererū counted.
Although the project has concluded, the data collected will continue to inform conservation efforts and help ensure the long-term protection of kererū and New Zealand's native ecosystems.
The Great Kererū Count is a collaborative project brought to NZ by Kererū Discovery, Urban Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Wellington City Council, Dunedin City Council & City Sanctuary, Nelson City Council and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
And proudly supported by many more organisations and groups.
The Great Kereru Count Interactive Story Map – results.
Why are Kererū so important to our biodiversity?
Kererū are the only bird large enough to eat and disperse the large fruit of native trees such as tawa, pūriri and mataī. Without them, our native forests would not regenerate and the sustainability of our natural environment would be under threat. Kererū are classified as “not threatened” but recognized by the Department of Conservation as being essential for forest regeneration.
How do you spot a kererū?
The kererū is a large, heavy bird with iridescent green and bronze feathers on its head and a smart white vest. The noisy beat of its wings and distinctive call are a welcome sound in our forests.
Things you can do to help kererū:
- Place something in front of, or on your windows, to stop kererū flying into them such as a decal or a wind chime.
- Plant native trees and plants they like to eat (kōwhai, cabbage tree, mirro, puriri, kahikatea, kohekohe and mataī).
- Keep your cat indoors at night as they love to snack on kererū eggs and can kill chicks and grown birds.
