Population modelling is an invaluable tool for identifying effective management strategies for threatened species whose populations are too small for experimental manipulation. Recently developed Bayesian approaches allow us to combine deterministic models with probability distributions to create stochastic models that account for uncertainty. We illustrate this approach in the case of the takahe Porphyrio hochstetteri, an Endangered flightless rail, which is supported by one of New Zealand's costliest recovery programmes. Using mark-recapture and logistic regression models implemented in a Bayesian framework we calculated demographic parameters for a fully stochastic population model based on 25 years of data collected from the last wild population of takahe in the Murchison Mountains, Fiordland. Our model results show that stoat trapping, captive rearing and cross-fostering of eggs/chicks in wild pairs all have a positive effect on takahe demography. If it were not for these management actions the Fiordland population would probably be declining (λ 5 0.985; confidence interval, CI 5 0.39-1.08), with a non-negligible risk of quasi-extinction (P 5 16%) within 20 years. The captive rearing of eggs and chicks has been the main factor responsible for the positive growth observed during the last decade but in the future expanding stoat trapping to cover the entire Murchison Mountains would be the single most beneficial management action for the takahe population (λ 5 1.038; CI 5 0.86-1.10), followed by captive rearing (λ 5 1.027; CI 5 0.85-1.09).

Comparison of morphological and genetic data from New Zealand forest cave wētā suggests we should recognise the genus Miotopus proposed by Hutton (1898). A new species within this genus is described (Miotopus richardsi sp. nov.). Both Miotopus diversus (Hutton, 1898) and Miotopus richardsi sp. nov. are common in native forests and widespread in New Zealand. Here we provide their known distributions and key traits

Population monitoring of seabirds plays an important role in conservation since it provides the information required to evaluate conservation programmes of endangered species, to guide harvest management and to monitor indicators of marine ecosystem health. Annual nest counts are often used for the long-term monitoring of breeding seabird populations. While such counts provide a direct and cost-effective survey method, single nest counts will almost always yield an underestimate of the true number of nests and provide no means of expressing uncertainty. In this study, we used double counts and the Lincoln-Petersen estimator to assess the reliability of nest counts for the Yellow-Eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) in the South Island of New Zealand. We estimated the detection rate of single nest counts at 88%, and we calculated that double counts are sufficiently precise to detect changes in the size of the breeding population as small as 3.3% between years. We failed to detect observer bias or any effects of search effort or habitat on the detection rate, the only significant factor being the steepness of the terrain. Given the high detection rate and the susceptibility of Yellow-Eyed Penguins to human disturbance, we conclude that the established protocol for single nest counts is adequate for the regular monitoring of the population. We suggest that double counts could be conducted once every 5 years to obtain precise estimates for the purpose of longterm population monitoring. We also highlight the importance of repeating similar studies for a variety of species and habitats.

The genus Pleioplectron was first described by Hutton (1896) and included six New Zealand species. This genus has since had three species moved, one each to the genera Pachyrhamma Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888, Miotopus Hutton, 1898 and Novoplectron Richards, 1958. Here we clarify the status and appearance of Pleioplectron simplex Hutton, 1896 (incl. P. pectinatum Hutton, 1896 syn. nov.) and P. hudsoni Hutton, 1896, as well as P. thomsoni (Chopard, 1923) comb. nov., which is transferred from the genus Weta Chopard, 1923. The genus Weta is newly synonymised with Pleioplectron. We also describe seven new species of Pleioplectron from South Island, New Zealand: P. auratum sp. nov., P. caudatum sp. nov, P. crystallae sp. nov., P. flavicorne sp. nov., P. gubernator sp. nov., P. rodmorrisi sp. nov and P. triquetrum sp. nov. We base these descriptions on morphology using fresh specimens of both male and female adults, and provide support for each with DNA sequence variation (mtDNA, partial COI).