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title: "Changing fortunes revealed for several of New Zealand’s albatrosses under its domestic Threat Classification System"
---

# Changing fortunes revealed for several of New Zealand’s albatrosses under its domestic Threat Classification System

New Zealand operates a domestic Threat Classification System for its indigenous taxa, including birds.  A report by Hugh Robertson and colleagues on the conservation status of New Zealand birds for 2012 has recently been released by the [Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz), reflecting the changing fortunes of a number of species, including several ACAP-listed albatrosses.

 According to the New Zealand Threat Classification System Manual three categories of threat are used:  Nationally Critical, Nationally Endangered and Nationally Vulnerable.

 Edited extracts from the report’s summary dealing with procellariiform seabirds whose categories have changed since a previous review in 2008 follow (ACAP-listed species are in bold).

 The status of three procellariiform taxa worsened and they were shifted into the Nationally Critical category (the most threatened): Antipodean Albatross *Diomedea antipodensis antipodensis*, Gibson’s Albatross *Diomedea a. gibsoni* and Salvin’s Albatross *Thalassarche salvini*.  In contrast the Grey-headed Albatross*T. chrysostoma* has been moved to Nationally Vulnerable due to its improved situation.

 The New Zealand Storm Petrel *Pealeornis maoriana* was moved from the Data Deficient category to Nationally Endangered following the discovery of its breeding locality and more information on its likely population size.  The North Island Little Shearwater *Puffinus assimilis haurakiensis* improved from Relict to the At Risk - Recovering Category.

 Three procellariiform taxa were added to threatened categories for the first time: Antipodean Albatross, Flesh-footed Shearwater *Puffinus carneipes* (to Nationally Vulnerable) and the New Zealand Storm Petrel.  The shearwater has previously been identified as a potential candidate for ACAP listing.

 ![](http://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Salvins/Salvins Albatross Snares Paul Sagar 6.jpg)

 Salvin's Albatross on the Snares: now deemed Nationally Critical

 Photograph by Paul Sagar

 With thanks to Barry Baker for information.

 **References:**

 Miskelly, C.M., Dowding, J.E., Elliott, G.P., Hitchmough, R.A., Powlesland, R.G., Robertson, H.A., Sagar, P.M., Scofield, R.P. & Taylor, G.A. 2008.  Conservation status of New Zealand birds, 2008.  [*Notornis* 55: 117-135](http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0904/Bird_conservation_status_2008.pdf).

 Robertson, H.A., Dowding, J.E., Elliott, G.P., Hitchmough, R.A., Miskelly, C.M., O’Donnell, C.F.J., Powlesland, R.G., Sagar, P.M., Scofield, P. & Taylor, G.A. 2013.  Conservation Status of New Zealand Birds, 2012.  [*New Zealand Threat Classification Series* No. 4](http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/nztcs4entire.pdf).  Wellington: New Zealand Department of Conservation.  22 pp.

 Townsend, A.J., de Lange, P.J., Duffy, C.A.J., Miskelly, C.M., Molloy, J. & Norton, D.A. 2008.  *[New Zealand Threat Classification System Manual](http://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/science-and-technical/sap244.pdf).*  Wellington: New Zealand Department of Conservation.  35 pp.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 November 2013*