Rare giant wētā on move to help save species

Kirikiriroa - A group of rare Mahoenui giant wētā has a new home after a successful relocation to the kiwi house in Ōtorohanga.

The Mahoenui giant wētā is one of the world’s largest insects, measuring up to 7cm and weighing approximately 15gms. Found in only four North Island locations, they are classified as at risk and recovering; and face threats from introduced predators and fire.

The Department of Conservation (DoC), te Mōkau ki Runga regional management committee, and the Ōtorohanga kiwi house have been worked together on a plan to protect this unique species with the first phase completed.

DoC senior ranger Biodiversity Jon Sadler says the move from Mahoenui scientific reserve near Te Kuiti required careful logistical planning and began this week with collection of 12 wētā at the site that gave the species its name. It

The wētā are taonga for Māori and for all New Zealanders. Representatives from hapū Mōkau ki Runga supported the project.

Giant wētā are endemic to New Zealand and all but one species are protected by law because they are considered at risk of extinction.

There are eleven species of giant wētā,most of which are larger than other wētā, despite the latter also being large by insect standards.

The largest species of giant wētā is the Little Barrier Island giant wētā, also known as the wētāpunga.

Giant wētā tend to be less social and more passive than other wētā.

They are found primarily on New Zealand offshore islands, having been almost exterminated on the mainland islands by introduced pests.