1. Home sweet home... Lost
One of the biggest threats to biodiversity is habitat destruction. When forests, wetlands, rivers and coastal habitats are altered or removed, native plants and animals lose the places they need to survive. New Zealand has lost around 90% of its original wetlands, making them one of our most threatened ecosystems.
2. Uninvited guests
Many of New Zealand's native species evolved without mammalian predators. Introduced species such as stoats, rats, possums and feral cats can have devastating impacts on wildlife. Predators are one of the main reasons species such as kiwi, kākāpō and whio require ongoing protection.
3. Trouble in the water
Pollution doesn't just affect people. Sediment, plastics, chemicals and excess nutrients can damage rivers, wetlands and marine ecosystems, making it harder for native species to thrive. Poor water quality has contributed to the decline of many freshwater species, including some native fish and freshwater mussels.
4. A changing climate
Rising temperatures, more frequent storms, droughts and sea-level rise are putting increasing pressure on wildlife and natural habitats across Aotearoa. Coastal ecosystems, alpine species and vulnerable seabirds are particularly at risk as conditions change.
5. Too much of a good thing
How we use the land matters. Unsustainable land use can fragment habitats, reduce biodiversity and make ecosystems less resilient. When native forests are cleared and natural landscapes become isolated, it becomes harder for species to move, breed and find food.
6. On the brink
Biodiversity loss can lead to species extinction. Around one-third of New Zealand's native species, approximately 4,000 plants, animals and fungi, are currently threatened or at risk of extinction.
7. Nature's safety net
Healthy ecosystems are like nature's support system. Forests help stabilise slopes, wetlands reduce flooding and coastal habitats provide nursery grounds for fish. When biodiversity declines, these natural services become less effective.
8. The price of nature loss
Protecting nature isn't just an environmental issue. Industries such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism all depend heavily on healthy ecosystems. WWF-New Zealand and EY New Zealand found that protecting and restoring nature could save Aotearoa more than $270 billion over the next 50 years.
9. Less ready for what's ahead
Healthy ecosystems help communities cope with floods, storms, droughts and climate change. Restored wetlands can absorb floodwaters, while native forests help reduce erosion and improve water quality. Losing biodiversity weakens these natural defences.
10. Nature loss is not inevitable
Across Aotearoa, community groups, iwi, conservation organisations and volunteers are helping restore habitats, control predators and bring native species back from the brink. Through the Community Conservation Fund, WWF-New Zealand supports projects that protect and restore nature around the country.