More than a third of the 80 or so species of seabirds that breed in New Zealand are endemic, or found nowhere else. First, New Zealand is surrounded by vast and productive oceans. Second, the more than 330 islands of New Zealand provide breeding and nesting sites for huge numbers of birds, including gulls, terns, penguins, shags, gannets and albatrosses. Seabird densities on the subantarctic islands are among the highest in the world. Threats to seabirds The Department of Conservation looks after New Zealand's seabirds.
Seabirds face many threats and urgent action is needed to ensure the survival of some species.
Like the land birds, New Zealand's seabirds evolved without mammals and don't cope well with them. Combined with coastal development and other human disturbance, many species are now confined to predator-free islands. Fire is a high risk for birds like yellow-eyed penguins and albatrosses which nest in dense tussock or scrub. Fire destroyed part of Te Rere yellow-eyed penguin colony in Southland several years ago. Local schools helped the Department replant and restore the area.