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Cook’s petrel (Pterodroma cookii), a New Zealand endemic, now breeds on only three islands at the extremities of its former range. Holocene fossil bones have indicated sites of 11 extinct colonies on North and South Islands, showing that Cook’s petrels preferred hills Gallirallus australis) have endangered these last colonies. Breeding success, most affected by rat predation of eggs and chicks, deteriorated seriously after extermination of feral cats from Hauturu, but improved significantly after eradication of rats from Whenua Hou. Rats are now a major threat on Hauturu. Cook’s petrels should be considered for reintroduction to suitable mainland reserves, to enhance biodiversity and restore nutrient inflows.