These huge (20 inch) colorful fruit pigeons are the only native pigeons in New Zealand. This species is split from the similar Chatham Island Pigeon (H. chathamensis) by Clements/eBird, IOC and HBW, but not H&M4 who follow a more traditional approach, retaining the two as subspecies. See Millener & Powlesland (2001) and Goldberg et al (2010). Formerly abundant, this species declined by about 50% over a twenty year period resulting in listing of "near threatened" by IUCN. However it seems to be recovering in recent years. Introduced predators and poaching are the main threats. This species does best in places like Tiritiri Matangi where they are protected and introduced predators eliminated.