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Genus Xenicus
South Island Wren - The Rockwren is the only surviving species in the genus Xenicus, and is thought to have been closely related to the formerly more widespread Bushwren. Like the Bushwren and the Rifleman it is a poor flier, rarely flying more than two metres off the ground or for distances or more than 30 m. It is highly terrestrial, feeding in low scrub and open scree and rockfalls in alpine areas.
Bush Wren - It was widespread throughout the main islands of the country until the late 19th century when mustelids were introduced and joined rats as invasive mammalian predators. The only authenticated reports of the North Island subspecies since 1900 were from the southern Rimutaka Range in 1918 and the Ureweras up to 1955, with probable sightings on June 13, 1949, near Lake Waikareiti, and several times in the first half of the 20th century in the Huiarau Range, and from Kapiti Island in 1911 . Apparently, the last population lived in the area where Te Urewera National Park was established, ironically just around the time of its extinction.