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Story: Threatened species

Mahoenui giant wētā sanctuary

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Mahoenui giant wētā sanctuary

This is the home of one group of Mahoenui giant wētā – a patch of prickly gorse at Mahoenui in the North Island’s King Country. A fence keeps out grazing stock. This wētā was probably once widespread in lowland forests of the northern North Island. Although hedgehogs, rats and possums prey on them, the gorse seems to give some protection.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10043253

by Gregory H. Sherley

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, Threatened species – Case histories, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14106/mahoenui-giant-weta-sanctuary (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.