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A population of spur-winged plover (Lobibyx novaehollandiae) in Southland was studied from 1965 to 1969. Nest areas and nest building are described and breeding territories discussed. Average clutch size was 3.74. Clutch size was not affected by rainfall. Incubation was shared between male and female by day. Laying began in June and ended in November, with peak laying occurring in August. Re-nesting occurred after nest or brood loss. There was one record of double brood. Incubation period was 30 to 31 days. Excessive incubation, laying pattern and hatching pattern are discussed. Hatch success in fully incubated nests was 73.99%; 50% of unhatched eggs contained early dead embryos; 49.83% of nests produced live chicks. Causes of nest loss are discussed. Chick mortality in the first fourteen days was high. 17.45% of chicks were known to fledge, but the true survival rate was probably of the order of 25%. Mean hatch weight was 20.5 grams. Chick growth rate is demonstrated. Fledging age was 7 to 8 weeks. Post-fledging dependence is discussed. Fledged juveniles remained with parents until 7 to 8 months old. The breeding cycle occupied the successful breeders for 11 months. Females could breed when one year old; males could breed in their second year, and may have done so when one year old. There was evidence that some pairs did not effectively part until the death of one of the pair. One bird was still breeding at 9 years 11 months, another at 8 years.