Brown teal thriving on Northland's east coast

Some brown teal are becoming the victims of success.

The little Pateke ducks are being bowled over on the roads near Matapouri as the population grows thanks to a successful release programme in the area.

Now, an information board has gone up to help visitors learn more about the native ducks and what can threaten them - including vehicles.

Department of Conservation and the Tutukaka Landcare Coalition have worked together to have the sign put in the sand dunes near the boat ramp at the southern end of Matapouri Beach.

Pateke ranger Tiff Browne said there had been successful releases over the last five years and the ducks were settled and breeding well.

A few were being bowled over by vehicles, but dogs were starting to become an issue.

Ms Browne said drivers should take care at night when in the area as that was the time the birds were searching for food.

Trapping for stoats had been successful and provided the ducks with a safe nesting area.

Pateke are found nowhere else in the world and are New Zealand's most endangered mainland waterfowl species.

There are only about 2500 of them living in the wild throughout the country - up on 1000 a decade or so ago - compared with an estimated 80,000 kiwi.

Tutukaka Landcare Coalition trust president Mike Camm said the east coast, from Bay of Islands to Pataua, had become dotted with pateke populations, which was terrific.

Mr Camm hoped the boards would be put in other places along the coast as they were a good reminder to visitors to keep their dogs from straying as they could have horrific consequences for the ducks.

The Brown Teal (pateke) was once widespread throughout New Zealand but is now restricted to Great Barrier Island and coastal valleys of eastern Northland. The species has suffered an ongoing decline since the late nineteenth century and is recognised internationally as endangered.