Recreational Backcountry Pilots Association & Hollyford Conservation Trust

DONATION: $80,000
Kaipo Valley whio conservation project (stage 3)

Story provided

The Hollyford Conservation Trust is restoring 13,000ha of the Hollyford and Kaipo catchments within Fiordland National Park.

In 2023, the Hollyford Conservation Trust partnered with the Recreational Backcountry Pilots Association to protect endangered whio (blue duck) in the Upper Kaipo valley, north of Milford Sound. This is a spectacular glacial valley that begins at the iconic Kaipo Wall and has clear, fast-flowing water that provides ideal habitat for whio. Excitingly, whio ducklings are now being seen in areas where they have been absent for many years including in the lower valley.

Thanks to the support of the Hugo Charitable Trust, a trap network has been established along the Kaipo River to protect vulnerable nesting whio (blue duck) and their ducklings. A survey in May 2025 confirmed the presence of whio in the uppermost reaches of the Kaipo valley.

The Hugo Charitable Trust has granted $80,000 funding that will enable the extension of the trapline into this excellent whio habitat. This is the final stage that will complete predator control from the Kaipo Wall in the headwaters all the way down to the coast at Kaipo Bay. Other species such as endangered kea, kākā, and rock wren are also expected to benefit.

We are extremely grateful for the support and generous donations from the Hugo Charitable Trust now totaling $150,000 that will enable us to complete the establishment of this whio protection infrastructure.