Join us for an inspiring morning celebrating one of Aotearoa's rarest and most elusive wetland birds, the matuku hūrepo (Australasian bittern).
Hear from Wendy Ambury, founder and national coordinator of Love Bittern, as she shares the mission to bring matuku hūrepo back from the brink of extinction.
One of New Zealand's leading bittern experts, Wendy will explore:
- why these remarkable birds matter
- why urgent action is needed now
- how connecting people to their local wetlands can inspire meaningful conservation action.
Discover why South Head is such an important stronghold for matuku hūrepo and learn how you can play a part through this year's Great Matuku Muster citizen science project.
You'll find out how new technology and community action are helping monitor and protect bittern populations, and how your observations can contribute to their recovery.
Whether you're a keen birdwatcher, a local landowner, or simply curious about our native wildlife, this free, family-friendly workshop is a great opportunity to connect with your local wetlands, learn from a national expert, and become part of a growing movement working to save matuku hūrepo from extinction.
Support the matuku hūrepo for the 2026 Bird of the Year and help ensure their iconic booming call continues to echo across South Head and Aotearoa's wetlands.