King shag population declines by 30 per cent in Marlborough Sounds

Thursday 22 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Fri 23 Oct, 12:00am

In this story Department of Conservation

Photo: Otago Daily Times (opens in new tab)

The endangered king shag, or kawau pāteketeke, has seen its population drop to approximately 550 individuals since 2021. Following several years of poor breeding, the Department of Conservation is urging boaties to help protect the seabird in the Marlborough Sounds.

How they headlined it

First reported by The Press, Thu 22 Oct, 4:05pm · 2 reports from 2 outlets over 8 hours

The PressThu 22 Oct, 4:05pm

Boaties urged to help protect endangered king shag after 30% decline (opens in new tab)
Otago Daily TimesFri 23 Oct, 12:00am

Iconic Marlborough Sounds bird under threat as numbers drop (opens in new tab)