Tara Iti / New Zealand Fairy Tern Print

A stunning watercolour painting of a Tara Iti / NZ Fairy Tern family, Aotearoa New Zealand's most endangered indigenous breeding bird.

With a population of just 37 individuals (which includes approximately 9 breeding pairs), the tara iti (Sternula nereis davisae) is New Zealand's most endangered bird.

It is ranked as a critically endangered species and carries a 'Category A' priority for conservation action. A Te Papa Atawhai / Department of Conservation Recovery Plan is currently in action.

Local artist Jo Ewing has created this gorgeous watercolour painting of a Tara Iti family with more Tara Iti in the background and in flight overhead to highlight the plight of these birds and to raise much needed funds. Jo's painting includes 10 Tara Iti birds which is just over a quarter of their entire population. These birds badly need our help.

The Endangered Species Foundation / Tāngaro Tuia Te Ora (ESF), Jo Ewing and Earthlove have all come together to bring this work of art to life with the aim of assisting in the recovery of the Tara Iti population. 50% from the sale of each and every print helps to protect this charismatic and endangered bird. These funds will be donated to Tāngaro Tuia Te Ora / the Endangered Species Foundation who educate and engage people to take action, support the conservation work of DOC and much, much more.

The purchase / donation options available are:

• Medium Print - 50% of funds donated to ESF.
• Large Print - 50% of funds donated to ESF.
• $?? Custom Donation (in multiples of $10) - 100% of funds donated to ESF.

Size and quality:

These giclee prints of Jo's original watercolour painting are printed on 188gsm archival quality cotton rag paper with long-life pigment inks.

Bird of the Year Awards:

You can help the Endangered Species Foundation to raise further awareness about the plight of the Fairy Tern by voting for it in the Bird of the Year awards. Vote carefully ... this year the winner will be awarded not only the Bird of the Year, but the Bird of the Century award too in celebration of a whole century of Forest & Bird speaking up for nature! Winning would have a huge influence on the survival of this gorgeous wee bird.

New Zealand's Ten Most Endangered Species:

With over 7,500 of New Zealand's plant and animal species currently in some danger of going extinct, it is imperative that we understand where help is needed most urgently. The Endangered Species Foundation has compiled a list of New Zealand's Ten Most Endangered Species, ranked in order of those closest to becoming extinct. At the time of writing (October 2023), the Tara Iti is number 5 on this list. You can help to save the 'Rarest of the Rare', by purchasing one of these prints or by donating via the Endangered Species Foundation website.

• Advocate for protection measures.
• Highlight issues and solutions.
• Educate and engage people to take action.
• Support the conservation work of DOC, community groups and volunteers.
• Work with their coalition partners to stop sand mining in the Mangawhai Pakiri area, where these birds nest and feed.
• Stop sea bed mining and destructive fishing practices across Aotearoa.

• New Zealand Fairy Tern / Tara Iti (doc.govt.nz)
• Taraiti / New Zealand Fairy Tern Factsheet (endangeredspecies.org.nz)

About the artist:

Jo Ewing was born on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand in 1948. After studying Industrial Design, she then worked as a landscape designer in Auckland. Inspired by Botanical Illustration course in England in 1987, Jo began painting traditional, intricate watercolours of flowers, with an emphasis on New Zealand flora.

While aiming for almost scientific accuracy, Jo believes it is also important to capture the beauty and essence of the subject on the paper.

The artist would like to acknowledge the photographers Darren Markin and Brian Chudleigh.

• Perpetual Botanical Birthday Calendar
• Flora and Fauna Greeting Cards - Small
• Flora and Fauna Greeting Cards - Regular