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Story: Game birds

Upland game birds: bobwhite quail

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Upland game birds: bobwhite quail

The bobwhite quail was introduced to New Zealand, but without success. A small population established around Lake Waikaremoana, but no longer exists. Small groups were also seen in south Auckland and northern Hawke’s Bay, but none has been reported since the 1980s. A few birds are still held by game farms.

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How to cite this page

Neil Deans, Game birds – Game birds in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16711/upland-game-birds-bobwhite-quail (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Neil Deans, published 30 October 2009, updated 20 April 2025.