Hunting NZ > Pukeko

PUKEKO

1.The New Zealand native Pukeko (Porphyrio melanotus) is the subject of the 2002 New Zealand Game Bird Habitat stamp. This large, purplish, wetlands dwelling bird, is held in rueful affection by New Zealanders. They have a reputation as a friendly, cheeky bird and are very territorial. They are often nicknamed “Swamp Hen”, “Pook” or to some hunters, the “blue pheasant”.

2.The Pukeko is a member of the rail family of birds and most people will notice the very strong similarity between the pukeko and the endangered takahe. These types of birds are common throughout the Pacific. The form melanotus breeds in northern and eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, including the Kermadec and Chatham Islands.

3.The pukeko is a great wader and runner. When disturbed they much prefer to run or hide than to fly. However when pushed, they are strong fliers and can fly long distances if needed. Pukeko lack webbed feet, but are good swimmers and have good balance in water, on land or in trees.

4.Pukeko have been harvested in New Zealand for generations. They, like paradise shelduck and the Canada goose have benefited from land clearance and the development of land as pasture and for crops and market gardening. They have also adapted well to urbanisation.

5.Pukeko population numbers vary in different parts of the country and there is consequently a lower daily bag limit in some regions (eg North Canterbury bag limit is 2). In other regions with higher rainfall and lower lying areas pukeko numbers are higher and the bag limit is also higher (eg West Coast bag limit is 20). In some of these regions their numbers are having an adverse effect on agriculture. In response to claims of damage to crops and horticulture in the West Coast and Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game regions for example, special seasons have been successfully used to disperse birds from sites and also to reduce population numbers through a harvest outside of the to the main Open Game Season.

6.On the West Coast of the South Island a significant increase in the total area of improved pasture throughout much of the region has led to pukeko populations becoming more widely distributed, with large concentrations of up to 2-300 birds now being common on properties where the habitat is particularly favourable.

7.Since 2000 Fish & Game has monitored Pukeko in this region using a combination of roadside transects and static counts. In the region annual fluctuations at monitoring sites are common due to a tendency for flocks to be quite mobile. The long-term trend, however, shows the overall West Coast population has averaged 3% growth per annum.

8.While they look very attractive in the wild, they are in fact quite aggressive and will attack, particularly, the chicks of other species. The culling of pukeko on Great Barrier Island by the Department of Conservation has been a major part of the programme to restore the population of little brown teal.

9.The blue body feathers are prime fly tying feathers for classic night lures such as the Craig’s Night-time, Taihape Tickler and Scotch Poacher among others. Many Maori cloak weavers are also very keen to access pukeko feathers.

10.Figures from the Fish & Game 2006 National Gamebird Hunter Survey for numbers of Pukeko harvested are set out below:

For more information contact your local Fish & Game office or the New Zealand Council on (04) 499 4767 or fax (04) 499 4768