As part of our Where and Wai unit, we have been learning about indicator species. One of our national treasures, the Whio, are extremely important in telling us about the health of our rivers. Read on to find out more about Whio...

Whio are a species of duck that are indigenous to New Zealand. Whio are also called Blue Ducks, but they are more of a grey tone of blue. 

This type of duck is a threatened species because of introduced animals such as stoats, rats and weasels so we have to keep them safe. 

Whio will not go in polluted or dirty water, they will only go in clean, fast flowing rivers. 

To help keep them safe, we need to  get rid of some introduced species and set up traps to protect the Whio.

-Michael Hayes

A Whio is a special type of duck that is native to New Zealand. The Whio is a threatened species, their predators are rats, cats, weasels, stoats and ferrets. People have set traps so they can remove these predators from the Whio's habitat. 

Whio is also on the NZ $10 bill.

Whio like to eat insects like mayfly larvae.

 - Tawhiri Fisher