Imagine if …Waiheke was predator free… There are many benefits to so many aspects of our island's flora and fauna - that’s why we will do a little series to break down some of the incredible changes Waiheke could see after becoming predator free.

#1 Imagine the sound of a predator-free Waiheke dawn chorus.

Imagine stepping outside your door on Waiheke Island and being greeted by a magical chorus of birdsong. This could become a reality if the island were to become predator-free.

Without the threat from stoats and rats, native bird populations could recover and flourish. Tūī, kākā, kererū, and korimako (bellbirds) could become more abundant, their calls reverberating through the trees. Other species, like the hihi (stitchbird) and the kōkako, could even be reintroduced to the island, their unique and beautiful songs filling the air.

The dawn chorus would become a beautiful and calming symphony of birdsong that greets the day - a natural wonder, transporting back in time to the 1800s when the island’s forests were alive with birdlife.

The sound of the bush on Waiheke could become a symbol of hope for the rest of Aotearoa, New Zealand. It could remind us that we have the collective power to reverse the damage done by stoats and rats and work together to restore the natural balance.

#2 Imagine the return of Korimako (the Bellbird).

*Credit - by Charlie Thomas (Te Korowai o Waiheke Team Member)*

A medium-sized - yellowish green honey-eater, korimako are most well known for their song which Captain Cook described as sounding ‘like small bells exquisitely tuned’.

Apart from them being a wonderful addition to the dawn chorus - korimako would play an important ecological role in the regeneration of forests by both pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds.

Korimako are already resident on neighboring predator-free islands such as Motuihe, Motutapu, and Rakino. It would be a short flight to Waiheke if they had a sustainable, predator-free environment here!

#3 Imagine if tīeke could thrive on Waiheke Island.

Imagine if, on your morning walks, you could hear the sound of chirping tīeke (saddleback), a bird belonging to New Zealand’s unique wattlebird family. If you've ever visited the neighbouring island of @rotoroaislandnz, you'll know the joy of being in the company of these endemic birds.

Since Rotoroa became predator-free in 2013, tīeke populations have flourished and can now be seen and heard all over the island. As you walk through the bush and up the tracks, you're surrounded by these beautiful birds foraging in the leaf litter alongside you, their chattering calls a constant presence throughout the day.

Tīeke were once found throughout New Zealand, but like many of the country's native birds, their populations were decimated by introduced predators such as rats and stoats. In recent years, however, efforts to eradicate these predators from islands and other areas have allowed tīeke populations to rebound.

Today, tīeke are a welcome sight in many parts of New Zealand. Their cheerful chatter reminds us of the importance of conservation efforts to protect New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.

If Waiheke were to become predator-free, it could provide a new home for tīeke, helping to ensure their survival so future generations could enjoy the sight and sound of saddleback on their morning walks for years to come.

#4 Imagine if wētāpunga thrived on Waiheke Island.

Imagine if Waiheke Island was predator-free and wētāpunga thrived once again. These unique creatures are endemic to New Zealand and were once widespread throughout the country, but they have been decimated by introduced predators like rats and stoats. However, the potential benefits of bringing wētāpunga back to Waiheke Island are tremendous.

*Credit - Charlie Thomas (Te Korowai o Waiheke Team Member)*

Wētāpunga are a fascinating species that have captured the imaginations of people all over the world. These giant insects can grow up to 8cm long and have impressive spines on their legs, which they use for defense. They are also important for the ecosystem as they play a vital role in seed dispersal and are important food sources for native birds and lizards.

On Waiheke Island, the presence of wētāpunga would not only be a boon for the ecosystem but would also provide a unique opportunity for locals and tourists alike to witness these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Imagine going for a walk in the bush and coming across a giant wētāpunga perched on a tree branch or exploring the forest floor in search of food. It would be a truly unforgettable experience.

#5 Imagine never worrying about rats again.

Besides the havoc that rats cause with our native wildlife - they’re not great for our stress levels either.

Imagine never having to lie awake at night wondering about that scratching sound in the roof again, never jumping at the sight of a rat scurrying across the ground, and never having the hassle of trapping rats or using bait stations again.

We could just sit back, relax and enjoy the birdsong!

#6 Imagine if ōi (grey-faced petrel) could thrive on Waiheke Island.

Imagine Waiheke’s skies filled with the majestic sight of ōi, their high-pitched whistles (whis-her, wik-wik) and low moans (oor-wik) echoing across the island. “Like a hoard of creaky doors coming into land,” says Te Korowai o Waiheke Team Member Charlie Thomas.

As nocturnal creatures, they’re known for their active and unique behaviours at breeding grounds, engaging in spectacular aerial courtship chases and noisy displays.

Ōi (grey-faced petrels) prefer offshore islands like the Noises and ‘Hen and Chickens’, or exposed headlands like Tāwharanui for nesting as they are often surrounded by strong updrafts for take-off. Waiheke has plenty of such areas that could be suitable

With predators like rats and stoats eliminated, ōi populations could flourish on Waiheke Island, giving them another safe place for their populations to grow.

#7 Imagine if kākāriki could thrive on Waiheke Island.

Imagine if, as you stroll through the bush, the rustle of leaves and the distant chatter of birds fill the air. As you wander deeper into the bush, you catch a glimpse of brilliant flashes of green and hear a high-pitched chattering amongst the trees.

*Credit - Lahiru Bandaranayaka (@bandaaa_b).*

It’s the New Zealand parakeet, or kākāriki in te reo Māori, that once flourished in the forests of New Zealand. In the 1800s, they were so abundant that beds up and down the country were stuffed with their feathers. However, they went from overwhelming abundance to almost extinction, largely due to the threat of rats and stoats.

But kākāriki in 2009, a fledgling and its parents were discovered on Motutapu Island, the first kākāriki in 100 years to nest on the island. Imagine if stoats and rats were eradicated from Waiheke Island, and kākāriki could nest here someday too.

The establishment of kākāriki on Waiheke Island would be a remarkable achievement and a testimony to the power of conservation. With their brilliant green plumage and their rapid, high-pitched chattering, they would fill the island with new life and vitality.

#8 Imagine if Waiheke Island was a paradise of native flora.

As rats are omnivores, they not only prey directly on our birds and insects but by eating seeds, fruit, and leaves, rats modify forest ecosystems leaving native wildlife with an insufficient food supply.

Rats can also affect the regeneration of plants by eating seeds and seedlings and reducing bird numbers reduce the opportunities for seed dispersal.

Imagine forests on Waiheke Island where the canopy is dense and the branches are heavy with epiphytes like the delicate koru ferns. A place where light filters through the leaves, dappling patterns dance across the forest floor and tree cavities are filled with nesting birds like ruru and kākā.

Imagine if, with each passing day without stoats and rats, native forests grow stronger, and our ecosystem is restored in its balance.

#9 Imagine if parekareka (spotted shags) were common on Waiheke Island.

Did you know that parekareka were once common in the Hauraki Gulf? Unfortunately, their populations have significantly declined due to the presence of introduced predators like stoats and rats. As a result, these beautiful seabirds can now only be found on select offshore islands, where they can seek refuge from their predators.

But there is hope! Breeding colonies exist on two smaller islands belonging to Waiheke, and you can catch a glimpse off them roosting on a few secluded spots around the motu. Can you imagine what it would be like if they could call the entire island home?

Recently, Te Korowai o Waiheke team member Charlie spotted 25 parekareka on a small island just off Whakanewha, a promising sign that conservation efforts on the island are working. With continued hard work, Waiheke Island could become a sanctuary for these incredible creatures to thrive in their natural habitat.

Let's work together to make this a reality and help the parekareka prosper in the Hauraki Gulf for all to enjoy.

#10 Imagine if Kiwi could make Waiheke home.

There can’t be any manu taonga more highly prized than the one that all New Zealanders are named after. There are many remarkable things about the flightless Kiwi, from their powerful claws to their sensitive beaks and hair-like feathers. These unique characteristics and more developed in a world without mammals, where a ground-dwelling existence was safe.

Today it’s estimated that only 68,000 kiwis remain, and if left unmanaged kiwi populations would continue to decline by 2% every year. Mammalian predators are their biggest threat, particularly stoats, which is why 95% of kiwi hatched in the wild die before they reach breeding age. Once a kiwi reaches 1 kg, it has a chance to fight off a stoat or a cat - but then dogs become the main danger.

…and so could Kiwi make Waiheke home? Well with some help yes! We already have stoats down to low numbers, and with a push on responsible pet ownership, including bird avoidance training for dogs, the opportunity to share our motu with our national symbol is a real one. Just look at what happened in the South West of Wellington, where Kiwi were reintroduced only last year...

Imagine if... Waiheke was Predator-Free