The Great Egret (Ardea alba modesta) is a New Zealand native and one of the country's cultural icons. This long-necked bird is covered in a complete white plumage, and attributed with a yellow bill and black legs. It is the largest egret in the country.
This bird is a colonial breeder that is restricted to only one colony on the Waitangiroto Stream near Whataroa in northern Westland. However, the white heron is a cosmopolitan and can be observed in the entire country.