The kererū is vital to the survival of Aotearoa’s native forests. It is the only bird capable of swallowing and dispersing large native fruits (greater than 12mm in diameter) whole. Tree species such as tawa and miro rely on kererū to spread their seeds and regenerate new forest. Without kererū, these trees would struggle to reproduce, and forests would gradually change in composition. For this reason, kererū are considered a keystone species of lowland forests.
Protecting kererū means safeguarding the ecological processes that sustain our native forests. Through restoring habitat and strengthening ecological corridors, the Wairau Nature Network is working to create landscapes that can support kererū not just seasonally, but year-round.
Kererū feed on the fruit, leaves, buds and shoots of more than 100 native species, as well as
around 50 introduced plants. At times, they gorge on ripe fruit – occasionally becoming so
full that they fall from trees.
By planting a diverse selection of the listed native trees, you can provide year-round food for kererū.