Saving our native species trickier than we thought

Life on Earth is experiencing a sixth mass extinction, with over 60 species in Aotearoa extinct since human arrival. Conservation efforts in New Zealand have focused on predator control, but invasive species, habitat loss, climate change, disrupted ecosystems, and human interactions are also contributing to species decline. Three species facing survival challenges include the tara iti (New Zealand fairy tern), migratory galaxiids (whitebait species), and pāteke (brown teal), highlighting the need for a broader, research-backed approach to conservation that considers genetic diversity, prey availability, and climate change impacts.

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