As World Frog Day leaps into our calendars on March 20, Auckland Council’s Environmental Services team is taking the opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of New Zealand’s most enigmatic and ancient amphibians – the Hochstetter’s frog.
With a face only a herpetologist could love, this tiny, speckled creature may not have the fairy-tale charm of the Frog Prince, but its survival story is one of persistence against the odds.
Auckland Council is embarking on a critical project aimed at safeguarding Hochstetter’s frog/pepeketua, an “At-Risk – Declining” species, in Tāmaki Makaurau. Ngāti Manuhiri kaitiaki will be actively involved in the project, as they accompany experienced contractors during their search for the frog.
Frogs are often called ‘barometers of ecosystem health’ due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. As Auckland’s climate continues to shift and urban development expands, understanding how these frogs are faring could provide crucial insights into the broader health of our natural landscapes.
Leading the charge is senior ecologist Alicia Wong, who hopes the research will provide valuable insights into the species and inform future conservation efforts.
“The Hochstetter’s frog is a true survivor, capable of living over 30 years – longer than many of our household pets,” says Wong.
“But while it has fared better than its close relatives, like Archey’s and Hamilton’s frogs, its numbers are still in decline. This survey will help us gain a deeper understanding of their population, distribution, and habitat quality, ensuring we have selected the best possible sites to prioritise for conservation programmes.”
The first year of the survey was completed last summer and focused on identifying areas with the highest potential for suitable habitats, while the current year of the survey started this week and will involve a detailed survey of frog populations to inform conservation needs.
Hochstetter’s frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) is a globally endangered amphibian, found only in specific areas of the North Island (including the Auckland region), and its conservation is particularly urgent.
A staggering 41 percent of amphibian species face extinction globally, outpacing the risk to mammals, reptiles, and birds. Habitat destruction, climate change, and disease are taking a heavy toll on frog populations worldwide.
New Zealand is home to 14 native frog species, including Archey’s frog, Hamilton’s frog, Hochstetter’s frog and the enigmatic Aotea/Great Barrier Island swimming frog.
The Hochstetter’s is now considered to be 10 genetically distinct species that haven’t been formally described yet. Auckland has four of the species including the Hūnua Ranges population, Hochstetter’s frog “Great Barrier”, Hochstetter’s frog “Waitakere” and Hochstetter’s frog “Northland”, which includes the populations in Rodney.
However, don’t expect a chorus of croaks – our unique amphibians are earless and voiceless, preferring to keep things on the quieter side. While Archey’s and Hamilton frogs are fully terrestrial, Hochstetter’s frog stands out as the only one that favours watery habitats, making its home in damp native forests, alongside streams, and beneath mossy rocks.
To better understand the numbers and distribution of this primitive amphibian in the northern reaches of the Auckland region, Auckland Council’s Environmental Services team has begun a two-year survey across three different sites including Department of Conservation land and private properties.
On Aotea/Great Barrier Island Auckland council is working with herpetologists, The Windy Hill-Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust and Ngāti Rehua to monitor Hochstetter’s frog “Great Barrier”.
Auckland Council’s senior regional advisor fauna Dr Sabine Melzer says this project has been running since 2012.
“This long-term monitoring programme provides crucial insights into frog population trends on Aotea, guiding future conservation efforts,” Melzer says.
“Hochstetter’s frogs are nocturnal and inhabit cool, moist environments such as streams, waterfalls, and rocky crevices, relying on these habitats for survival.
However, they face numerous threats, including habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and climate change,” explains Melzer
This initiative reaffirms Auckland Council’s commitment to protecting the unique biodiversity of the Auckland region, helping to ensure Hochstetter’s frogs have the support they need to thrive. The project is a vital step in conserving New Zealand’s rare and precious wildlife, offering hope for the future of this ancient and remarkable frog.
Auckland Council encourages residents to get involved in frog conservation by protecting local waterways, reducing the amount of sediment entering waterways, taking part in predator control and supporting habitat restoration projects.
While we may not be able to turn a frog into a prince with a kiss, we can certainly do our part to ensure their survival for generations to come.
As Kermit the Frog famously said: “It’s not easy being green.” But with a little effort, we can make it a whole lot easier for the Hochstetter’s frog to keep hopping along.
