New Zealand’s rarest bird looks set for a bumper breeding season this summer with five fledglings already striking out on their own and as many as eight more chicks to follow.

That might not sound like many but given that the total world population of tara iti, or fairy terns, is less than 40, that is a huge boost to the species’ chances of survival.

It is also a much-needed morale boost for volunteers and Department of Conservation staff looking after the birds, after the disastrous 2022-23 season in which Cyclone Gabrielle killed five adults and all but one chick.

DOC supervisor Shelley Ogle said the current season was tracking to be the best since 2013-14.