Te Oneroa Backyard Birds
Helping native birds to thrive in Long Bay Village
The Problem
- Loss of Biodiversity: Long Bay’s development has led to a lack of trees and reduced biodiversity, making it difficult for native birds to thrive.
- Community Knowledge Gap: Many residents are unsure about what, where, or how to plant native species.
- Native Plant Sourcing: Sourcing the right native plants for Auckland’s conditions is challenging.
Key Facts
- Auckland has lost 20% of its tree cover in the last 25 years.
- Tree cover in Auckland suburbs averages just 18%.
- Urban trees improve air quality, reduce respiratory health issues, intercept rainwater (reducing flooding), and absorb carbon dioxide, helping combat climate change.
- Planting trees promotes mental and physical health, enhances community well-being, and can increase property values by 3–15%.
- The best way to provide food for native birds is to ….. plant native trees.
What you plant on your property can make a huge difference!
The Vision
- Native Plants in Every Garden: Every Long Bay property features native plants.
- Rich Bird Diversity: A wide variety of native birds, including tūī, pīwakawaka (fantails) and kererū, are seen throughout Long Bay.
- Effective Pest Control: Comprehensive animal pest control across the area.
- Connected Community: Residents are educated, connected, and proud of supporting nature.
- Enhanced Visual Environment: Improved property values and a beautiful landscape.
Whakataukī (Māori Proverb)
This Maori proverb captures our hopes.
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakemua
If we take care of the earth and take care of people, we will take care of the future.
What You Can Do
Plant for Birds and Biodiversity!
- How to Plant to Attract Native Birds: Department of Conservation guide.
- Support Birds, Insects, and Lizards: Auckland Council planting advice.
- Native Hedges: Best native hedges for Auckland.
- Native Trees: Best native trees for Auckland.
- Coastal Planting: Coastal native plants for Auckland.
- Native Ferns: Coastal native plants for Auckland.
- Native Threatened: Native threatened plants for Auckland.
- Locally Sourced Plants: Choosing natives for Auckland conditions.
- Ecosourcing: Ecosourced Plants.
- Weed Alternatives: Weedbusters: Plant Me Instead.
Bird-Friendly Gardens
- Feeding Native Birds: Forest & Bird feeding guide.
- Cat Management: Keep cats indoors to protect native birds – a word about cats.
New Zealand Native Birds: Featured Species
Bird
Photo & License
Description
Fantail / Pīwakawaka
Photo by Geoff McKay, CC BY 2.0 source
Known for its friendly ‘cheet cheet’ call and energetic flying antics, the fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds in New Zealand 2.
Tūī
Photo by Matt Binns, CC BY 2.0 source
Kererū (NZ Pigeon)
Photo by Charles J. Sharp CC AS ALike 4.0 source
Kākā
Originally posted to Flickr as Kaka Parrots CC AS ALike 2.0.
Large forest parrot with olive-brown and crimson feathers. Known for intelligence and playfulness.
Kiwi
Photo by Kimberley Collins, CC AS ALike 4.0 src
Iconic, flightless bird with a long beak and brown, fuzzy feathers. Unique to New Zealand and a national symbol 6.
Further Resources
- Department of Conservation: NZ Birds A-Z
- NZ Garden Bird Survey: Bird Identification
- Te Papa: Birds of Aotearoa New Zealand
Let’s work together to restore native birdlife in Long Bay—one garden at a time!