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Distribution of selected native species

The distribution of seven native species is measured to report on this indicator.

The seven species have been selected from the national biodiversity indicator programme currently under development by the Department of Conservation. These species are all managed by the Department under recovery plans, and were selected for their usefulness as indicators, their habitat requirements, the availability of data for them and their level of threat.

The seven selected native species are:

Did you know?

  • There are an estimated 80,000 native species in New Zealand. Almost 55,000 of these have been identified, and about 30,000 have been scientifically described, named and classified.
  • In 2007, almost 2500 known land-based and freshwater species of animals, plants and fungi are classified as threatened in New Zealand.
  • All of the seven indicator species show a marked decrease in their range since human settlement, due to loss of habitats and the impacts of introduced pests.
  • More than 25,000 plant species, 54 mammal species and about 2000 invertebrate species have been introduced to New Zealand since it was settled.

This information has come from the latest national state of the environment report Environment New Zealand 2007.

Last updated: December 2008