Species

The Chathams are an expo of evolution. Time and geographic isolation have given DNA full creative license.

Of the islands' 338 native plants, 47 are found nowhere else. Around 20% of the 800-odd insect species are also endemic, including a specific species of mosquito. At least 52 native birds breed in the Chathams and 18 of these are endemic (or 20, if you include two albatross that only have tiny populations elsewhere).

Today on our islands, 41 birds, 117 plant species and 79 invertebrates are threatened or at-risk. This makes up nearly 10% of the total endangered species in the country.

Many species on the Chathams are examples of  'island giganticism' in action. This biological phenomenon is when species found on larger mainlands colonise islands and evolve larger bodies. Examples of this on the Chathams include the parea, the rautini or daisy tree, and the Chatham Island oystercatcher.