Small bird. Huge fight.

This is the world’s rarest wading bird, and it’s on the brink of extinction. 

Found only on Rakiura Stewart Island’s wildest beaches and remote mountaintops, the pukunui, Southern NZ dotterel, is closer to extinction than the kiwi. There are just over 100 left, and fewer than 30 breeding pairs.

This isn’t just about a bird, it’s about standing up for a species and a landscape that make Aotearoa unique.

About the Pukunui

• The pukunui, NZ Southern Dotterel, is closer to extinction than the kiwi or the kākāpō, with only 30 breeding pairs reamaining. 
• The pukunui breeds on mountain tops from September, then heads to Rakiura’s estuaries and beaches for winter.
• Adult pukunuis change dramatically in breeding season, with a striking deep-red chest. 
• Though they can live to 30 years, most survive only 4–5 years, mainly due to predation by feral cats. 
• They are fiercely protective parents and, known even to fake injury to draw predators away from their chicks.

Protecting the Pukunui

RealNZ is proud to champion the future of the pukunui through partnership with the Department of Conservation. This urgent conservation work targets the greatest threats to the pukunui, including stoats, feral cats and habitat degradation. By reducing predator numbers and improving nesting habitats, we can give the pukunui a real chance to recover.

For every booking made on the RealNZ website between 14 July - 30 September, 2025, 1% went towards vital work to protect and restore the pukunui’s home. Funds raised by RealNZ’s 1% for Conservation project will help DOC deliver hands-on protection during the crucial breeding season.

*Include 1% of website bookings, Conservation Ball fundraising and all donations to the Pukunui via the RealNZ website.

Alongside our fundraising, the pukunui was the headline cause at this year’s RealNZ Conservation Ball, and our team proudly supported the pukunui’s campaign for Bird of the Year 2025.

'Dotterel Dan' shares what makes the pukunui so special

Meet Daniel Cocker, known as 'Dotterel Dan' – a Field Ranger with the Department of Conservation Pukunui/Southern NZ Dotterel Recovery Team who's been working with these incredible birds for nearly 10 years. Here in Awarua Bay, Dan shares what makes these birds so special before they head off to breed on Rakiura Stewart Island. 

Terms & Conditions

RealNZ has committed to donating 1% of all revenue generated from bookings made online through the RealNZ website between 14 July 2025 and 30 September 2025 to support the conservation of the Pukunui, Southern New Zealand Dotterel, on Rakiura Stewart Island.

The commitment applies only to bookings made online through the RealNZ.com website. It does not include purchases made through stores or partners or to bookings that are cancelled before the donation is made.