New Zealand Highlights - November 2025
Dates: November 30 - December 18, 2025
Leaders: Dion Hobcroft & Local Leader
E-bird
Total Species: 141 birds
Click Here to view list.
Overall Summary
We all met up as planned at our very convenient and comfortable airport hotel. Our first stop was urban Auckland, where we had a bit of luck finding a vagrant Common Sandpiper that had been reported previously. The rest of the day went well as we explored Tawharanui and various coastal estuaries north to One Tree Point. There was a rush of new birds, as there often is on a first day in a new country, and we had great views of Paradise Shelduck, Brown Teal, New Zealand Pigeon, Variable Oystercatcher, Red-breasted Dotterel, Sacred Kingfisher, New Zealand Kākā, Tūī, New Zealand Bellbird, Grey Gerygone, Whitehead, New Zealand Fantail, and North Island Robin.
The next day we were lucky to get out to sea in the Hauraki Gulf, though there was a bit of rock and roll in the swell. We were on board the Sumo with Steve, and he soon had us positioned in a great spot to attract a throng of pelagic birds. Fifteen species of albatross and petrel were recorded, with major highlights being White-capped Albatross; White-faced Storm-Petrel; Grey-faced, Black-winged, Cook’s, and Pycroft’s petrels; Fairy Prion; Parkinson’s Petrel; Little, Buller’s, Sooty, Short-tailed, and Flesh-footed shearwaters; and dozens of Common Diving-Petrels. Pacific Reef Heron and Bottlenose Dolphins were two more notables. Back on land, we had a miraculous bit of luck finding a single Australian Fairy Tern (New Zealand’s rarest breeding bird) and more good fortune following up on a report of Australasian Grebe.
The weather continued to be windy with some intense thunderstorms, but we still made it across on the ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island. With only a few hours and strong winds, it was looking a bit dicey, but we soon had great views of the highly unusual Stitchbird, and we had two encounters with the extraordinary North Island Kōkako, including one bird feeding on the track! North Island Saddlebacks were in good form and were a delight as they sang and foraged around us. We also saw the Giant Wētā—one of the world’s heaviest insects.
We made an early start to catch the high tide at Miranda, and it worked well; when we arrived at the Stilt Ponds we saw more than 3,000 Bar-tailed Godwits and 200 Red Knots. Searching through this mass of shorebirds, we quickly found several Wrybills with their laterally twisted bills, a couple of Double-banded Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, nearly 50 Pacific Golden Plovers, and a single Curlew Sandpiper. Swamp Harriers sailed overhead, and Royal Spoonbills were spectacular in breeding plumage. By afternoon we were in the volcanic plateau watching bubbling mud and steaming vents in Rotorua, while enjoying great views of New Zealand Grebe, New Zealand Scaup, Black-billed Gull, and Shining Bronze Cuckoo.
From Rotorua we ventured to Pureora Forest, where in a memorable birding session a superb Long-tailed Koel sailed around and over us repeatedly, a male Tomtit perched out, pairs of chattering Yellow-crowned Parakeets gave glowing views, and the tiny Rifleman came down to eye level. Our good fortune continued with a pair of Blue Ducks with ducklings near Tūrangi, and then an extraordinary Australasian Bittern perched up in the reeds at Lake Taupō. More was to follow with stunning views of Morepork in the evening, and we heard a North Island Brown Kiwi calling. A Puriri Moth—the largest in New Zealand—was a lifer for me. They apparently spend six years as a larva!
We made it across to Kapiti Island, first making stops for New Zealand Pipit and the now-established Nankeen Night Herons near Whanganui. Once settled on Kapiti we started exploring, and our good luck continued with three sightings of New Zealand Falcon, our first Wekas, a fortuitous sighting of a pair of South Island Takahe, and, most amazingly, Fernbirds that have self-colonized the island and showed well in the swamp behind the lodge. Little Spotted Kiwi proved difficult this year and was seen only by me on the predawn outing. A Little Penguin and geckos were other nocturnal sightings. Photographers were kept busy with a roll call of New Zealand birds from saddlebacks to Red-crowned Parakeets, pigeons, and Whiteheads.
Exploring Wellington and squeezing in a visit to the excellent national museum, we eventually loaded up on the Interislander ferry and crossed Cook Strait. Common Dolphin was probably our best sighting on the crossing. Beautiful weather prevailed, and our boat journey through the Marlborough Sounds was quite idyllic. New Zealand King Shag, Malherbe’s Parakeet, and South Island Saddleback were all seen very well. On the water there were large numbers of Fluttering Shearwater, Australasian Gannet, and a few Little Penguins and Parasitic Jaegers. We had great looks at the rare Hector’s Dolphin and a few Dusky Dolphins. A few stops en route to Kaikōura produced Hoary-headed and Great Crested Grebes, while the New Zealand fur seal rookeries gave a good insight into seal life.
Our pelagic in the Kaikōura Sea Canyon was also successful. We added point-blank views of Northern Royal, Antipodean, and Salvin’s albatrosses, Northern Giant Petrel, Pintado and Westland Petrels, and Hutton’s Shearwaters to our trip list. In the afternoon we tracked down one of the rarer introduced species in New Zealand—a fine male Cirl Bunting.
I should also mention that we recorded the following non-native species on the tour: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, California Quail, Wild Turkey, Ring-necked Pheasant, Indian Peafowl, Brown Quail, Rock Pigeon, African Collared Dove, Eastern Rosella, Australian Magpie, Eurasian Skylark, European Starling, Common Myna, Song Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Redpoll, European Goldfinch, and Yellowhammer—an impressive total of 26 introduced species.
Continuing south, we tried to find a few reported vagrants but had no luck with them. We reached the Mackenzie Country, and Mount Cook sparkled as clouds gave way to blue skies and the Southern Alps looked splendid. Black-fronted Terns were a welcome addition, but things were looking tight again for the rare Black Stilt. Luckily, at the last moment we found a pair, and there was a palpable exhalation of relief on the bus! We proceeded on to Bluff and caught the ferry to Stewart Island. We took an extraordinary night walk in very balmy conditions, with calling Moreporks and a Long-tailed Koel in the background, and watched five South Island Brown Kiwis at distances down to about five meters. We saw a tiny month-old chick and observed two males in a territorial skirmish. It was fantastic!
With a full day on the island, we explored Ulva Island and quickly caught up with both Yellowhead and Pipipi. By boat we explored further and enjoyed Stewart Island Shags, Brown Skuas, Southern Royal Albatrosses, White-chinned Petrels, a fortuitous Broad-billed Prion, and, in a miraculous bit of timing, three Yellow-eyed Penguins swimming around the vessel before they hauled out on Bench Island and wandered into the coastal scrub. Stewart Island had been very kind to us.
Our day in Fiordland featured rainy, cloudy weather, but undaunted we tried our best to see as much as possible. We had excellent luck with Keas—seeing at least 10 individuals—and that was our biggest win for the day. We found a Blue Duck, enjoyed Rifleman and Yellow-crowned Parakeets, saw Weka, Tomtits, and South Island Robin, and had more luck with Pacific Black Duck, now largely hybridized out of existence in New Zealand by feral Mallards. Our boat trip on Milford Sound was spectacular, with waterfalls pouring and mile-high mountains appearing in and out of view.
We transferred to Dunedin and enjoyed a boat trip around Taiaroa Head, where four species of albatross came close to the boat. Our trip was at an end, and we flew out the next day. It had been a great trip with a great group. Thank you for traveling with me and Victor Emanuel Nature Tours.
Day-by-Day Summary
November 30 - We met at our airport hotel and began birding in urban Auckland, successfully finding a vagrant Common Sandpiper. We continued north to Tawharanui and coastal estuaries toward One Tree Point, seeing Paradise Shelduck, Brown Teal, New Zealand Pigeon, Variable Oystercatcher, Red-breasted Dotterel, Sacred Kingfisher, New Zealand Kākā, Tūī, Bellbird, Grey Gerygone, Whitehead, Fantail, and North Island Robin.
December 1 - A productive pelagic produced 15 species of albatross and petrels, including White-capped Albatross, Cook’s and Pycroft’s Petrels, Fairy Prion, and multiple shearwaters. Bottlenose Dolphins and Pacific Reef Heron were also seen. On shore, we added Australian Fairy Tern and Australasian Grebe.
December 2 - Despite wind and storms, we visited Tiritiri Matangi Island and enjoyed excellent views of Stitchbird and multiple encounters with North Island Kōkako, including a bird feeding along the track. North Island Saddlebacks were abundant, and a Giant Wētā was a memorable highlight.
December 3 - At Miranda, we saw thousands of Bar-tailed Godwits and Red Knots, along with Wrybill, Pacific Golden Plover, and Curlew Sandpiper. We then continued to Rotorua, where geothermal landscapes and wetlands produced New Zealand Grebe, New Zealand Scaup, Black-billed Gull, and Shining Bronze Cuckoo.
December 4 - Pureora Forest produced Long-tailed Koel, Tomtit, Yellow-crowned Parakeet, and Rifleman. Near Tūrangi we saw Blue Ducks with ducklings, and at Lake Taupō we observed Australasian Bittern. The evening brought Morepork and calling North Island Brown Kiwi.
December 5 - En route via Whanganui, we saw New Zealand Pipit and Nankeen Night Heron. On Kapiti Island we recorded New Zealand Falcon, Weka, South Island Takahe, Fernbird, and Little Penguin. Little Spotted Kiwi was seen by some participants during a pre-dawn outing.
December 6 - We visited Wellington before boarding the Interislander ferry. Highlights included Common Dolphin and a scenic crossing through Marlborough Sounds, with New Zealand King Shag, Malherbe’s Parakeet, South Island Saddleback, and Hector’s Dolphin.
December 7 - A productive pelagic produced Northern Royal, Salvin’s, and Antipodean Albatrosses, Northern Giant Petrel, Westland Petrel, and Hutton’s Shearwater. In the afternoon we found a male Cirl Bunting.
December 8 - We crossed the South Island, seeing Black-fronted Tern and a pair of Black Stilt in the Mackenzie Country before continuing to Bluff and taking the ferry to Stewart Island.
December 9 - A remarkable night walk produced excellent views of five South Island Brown Kiwis, including a chick and territorial interactions. Morepork and Long-tailed Koel were also heard.
December 10 - Ulva Island produced Yellowhead and Pipipi. A boat trip added Stewart Island Shag, Brown Skua, Southern Royal Albatross, White-chinned Petrel, Broad-billed Prion, and Yellow-eyed Penguins.
December 11 - Despite rain, we saw over 10 Keas, Blue Duck, Rifleman, Weka, and South Island Robin. Milford Sound provided dramatic scenery and excellent seabird viewing.
December 12 - We traveled to Dunedin and enjoyed a boat trip around Taiaroa Head, seeing multiple albatross species up close, along with Australasian Gannet and New Zealand Fur Seals.
December 13 - We spent the day on the Otago Peninsula, with excellent views of Yellow-eyed Penguin, Royal Spoonbill, Stewart Island Shag, and coastal wildlife. We also observed New Zealand Sea Lions and forest birds such as Bellbird and Fantail.
December 14 - We traveled through Central Otago, seeing Australasian Harrier, New Zealand Falcon, and Black-fronted Tern in dryland habitats. Scenic river valleys and braided river systems dominated the day.
December 15 - We returned to the Mackenzie Basin, again seeing Black Stilt, Wrybill, Banded Dotterel, and Black-fronted Tern. Views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps were spectacular.
December 16 - We birded wetlands and coastal lagoons in Canterbury, seeing Bar-tailed Godwit, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, and Royal Spoonbill. The afternoon was spent packing and enjoying a final group gathering.
December 17 - We enjoyed a final relaxed morning birding in the Christchurch area, visiting nearby wetlands and coastal habitats. Species included Bar-tailed Godwit, Red Knot, Royal Spoonbill, Australasian Shoveler, and additional shorebirds before returning to the hotel for a farewell dinner and final reflections on the journey.
December 18 - Final transfers to Christchurch Airport marked the end of the tour. Participants departed on international flights after an outstanding journey through New Zealand’s endemic-rich forests, islands, alpine regions, and coastal ecosystems.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
Bottlenose Dolphin: Hauraki Gulf
Common Dolphin: Cook Strait
Hector's Dolphin: Marlborough Sound
Dusky Dolphin: Marlborough Sound
New Zealand Furseal: frequent from Kaikoura south
Hooker's Sealion: Ulva Island
European Rabbit: Introduced-locally common
European Hare: Introduced-locally common