Wading Godwit at Waikawa Beach

Every spring, the bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica baueri) makes one of the most extraordinary journeys in the animal kingdom, flying non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand—a distance of over 12,000 kilometers. These long-legged shorebirds undertake this epic migration in just eight to ten days, without pausing to rest, feed, or drink. Their arrival in New Zealand, typically around September, is a celebrated event, especially in places like Motueka and Nelson, where locals gather to welcome them back.

The Godwits arrive visibly exhausted, their wings drooping and bodies depleted from the marathon flight. Yet, they are greeted with reverence and joy. In Nelson, for example, cathedral bells ring out to mark their return, and ceremonies are held to honor their resilience and the changing of the seasons. For many, the Godwit symbolizes endurance, renewal, and the deep connection between hemispheres. Māori have long held the kuaka (godwit) in high regard, associating them with spiritual journeys and the mysteries of life and death.

Once settled, the Godwits spend the southern summer feeding along estuaries, mudflats, and coastal wetlands, replenishing their energy reserves. Their diet consists mainly of worms, mollusks, and crustaceans found in the intertidal zones. These rich feeding grounds are essential for their survival, especially as they prepare for the return journey north in March, which includes a stopover in the Yellow Sea region of East Asia. Unfortunately, habitat degradation in these stopover sites poses a growing threat to their migration success.