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Abstract: In New Zealand there are numerous ground-nesting sea and shore birds, many of which face similar threats to their nesting success. Threats include environmental conditions such as tidal inundation, damaging weather events and sand movement – challenges that are expected to worsen with ongoing climate change. Among the most vulnerable of these species is the New Zealand fairy tern / tara iti (Sternula nereis davisae). Nest protection and habitat enhancement methods including shell patch creation, sandbagging, dykes/trenches and dissuasion measures were used to protect tara iti nests from environmental threats at the four main breeding sites in Northland and Auckland. The success of these techniques means fewer nest manipulations were required, and the overall rate of nest success increased e.g., 68% (n=40) of nests were successful on created patches at Mangawhai. These techniques may also be useful for the protection of other ground-nesting coastal bird species.