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Between April 1985 and March 1987, standardised shipboard censuses were conducted during 23 monthly transects from shore to well beyond the continental shelf. The average transect distance was 66 km and maximum depth 4200 m. Twelve (probably 13) species and 231 1 birds were recorded. Regular petrels (listed in descending percentage abundance) had zonal and seasonal distributions as follows: Pterodroma macroptera (5O%), pelagic, spring and summer; P. solandri (24%), pelagic, autumn, winter and spring; Daption capense (16%), neritic, winter and spring; Macronectes spp. (5%), marginally neritic, winter and spring; small Pterodroma spp. (“Cookilaria”) (4%), pelagic, summer and autumn; P. lessonii (1%), pelagic, autumn, winter and spring. Petrels rarely observed were Fulmarus glacialoides (l), Pterodroma neglecta (31), Procellaria parkinsoni (4) and Pseudobulweria rostrata (1). Temperature preferences, morphological characters, behaviour and breeding status are discussed. The 200 + “Cookilaria” observed during two cruises in April 1985 may have been associated with a slope-water intrusion generated by the East Australian Current.