Welcome to the website for the Raptor Alliance for New Zealand

Adult female falcon Falcon chick

Due to unforeseen circumstances and some technical issues the Raptor Association of New Zealand material has had to be removed for a temporary period until these issues can be resolved.

If you wish to contact the Raptor Association of NZ you can do so by e-mail to the Chairman Rich Seaton (richseaton@gmail.com) or the Secretary Susan Curry (susiecurry@xtra.co.nz).

To ensure that observation reports can still be submitted to the NZ Falcon Distribution Survey, this temporary site has been established to ensure that the survey can continue.

NZ Falcon Distribution Survey

Currently a national NZ Falcon Distribution Survey is being undertaken with the initial aim to describe the current distribution of all three forms of the New Zealand falcon.

The NZ falcon is a unique species endemic to New Zealand, yet very little is known about its current distribution and the threats that are affecting this.

Currently the Department of Conservation (DOC) classifies the three forms according to their threat of extinction. Understanding the current distribution and how this may have changed is critical to ensuring the long-term survival of the falcon nationwide.

The 3 forms of the New Zealand falcon are currently classified:

a. Southern falcon- Nationally endangered
b. Bush falcon- Nationally vulnerable
c. Eastern falcon- Gradual decline


If you have seen or heard falcon and wish to report this you can either, report this:
 » via the Online Observation Report Form or
 » download the Observation Report Form (PDF) and simply follow the information detailed on the form.

If you have any questions or want further clarification please contact the survey co-ordinator at survey@ranz.org.nz.

All observation information given will be held securely and will not be provided to any third party without due process being followed. Policies and procedures are in place to safeguard both the observation information and the welfare of the falcon.

Was it a NZ Falcon?

Are you sure what you saw/heard was a NZ Falcon? Please don't feel insulted but it is important that the survey is as accurate as possible. If you are not sure or want to be certain check out the Guide to Observing a NZ Falcon below, or note your doubt on the observation form and the survey co-ordinator will check back with you.

Guide to Observing the NZ Falcon

To assist with both recognising and understanding more about the NZ Falcon a four page guide has been produced and can be downloaded in either Word or PDF format (see below).
Providing information and photographs on topics such as distinguishing
the male from female and the adult from juvenile falcon plus more.
 » Guide to Observing the New Zealand Falcon (PDF)
 » Guide to Observing the New Zealand Falcon (Word)

Progress with NZ Falcon Distribution Survey

NZ Falcon Distribution Survey
Latest update 17 April 2009

North Island South Island 
Northland1Tasman96
Auckland27Nelson17
Waikato172Marlborough54
Bay of Plenty59West Coast116
Gisborne17Canterbury312
Hawke's Bay106Otago298
Taranaki187Southland100
Manawatu-Wanganui318
Wellington208
Total1095Total993
Total for New Zealand = 2088