Natural Science / Natural History > New Zealand Nature

ENVIRONMENT Category Winner Adrift in the South Pacific Ocean, separated from the rest of the world by vast distances and blessed with some of the most varied and spectacular natural landscapes on Earth, New Zealand is rather special. Generations of geoscientists have developed an increasing understanding of what makes New Zealand geologically unique and why. Highlights of this research, including many discoveries of global significance, are presented in this book. A Continent on the Move explains what makes New Zealand tick geolog... read more

Spiders colonised the Earth long before Gondwanaland began to drift into separate continents. New Zealand spiders have links with spiders worldwide. This definitive guide to these remarkable creatures is ideal for scientist and layperson alike. It explores the anatomy, physiology, behaviour and ecology of both native and introduced spiders. For ease of use, spiders are grouped in different ways, such as habitat, size, and web type. There are also chapters on harmful spiders and how to find and study spiders, and notes on the naming... read more

<b>Winner of the Environment Award in the 2005 Montana New Zealand Book Awards</b> This is the definitive history of Tiritiri Matangi Island, a conservation success story of international significance. Aimed at the general reader, the book describes the island's history: its Maori occupation, the farming period, wartime activities, and the historic lighthouse which has shone since 1865, as well as the subsequent conservation project. Thousands of trees, planted by volunteers, and the release of rare and endang... read more

New Zealand sits in a very watery part of the world. The Pacific stretches out to the north and east, while to the south is continuous ocean. It has the fourth largest Exclusive Economic Zone, with a band 200 nautical miles wide around the country, including its offshore islands. Only a fraction of this vast area has been explored. From what is known already, it is clear that these seas harbour a fascinating diversity of marine life. Southern New Zealand boasts wave-lashed coasts and ocean beaches, sheltered inlets and the grande... read more

Photo essay from a series on the South Island's Central Otago district.

The name Hugh Wilson is synonymous with conservation on Banks Peninsula. As the author of a five-year detailed botanical survey of Banks Peninsula, Hugh is uniquely qualified to write about the region's flora and fauna, geology and ecology. This book, builds on the information gathered in that survey, to present a concise and up-to-date summary of the peninsula's landscape, vegetation and wildlife. The text is accompanied by many stunning photographs and Hugh's own charming pen and ink drawings, along with figures and tables, and f... read more

Politicians, artists, academics, farmers, business people - growing numbers of New Zealanders are committed to a passionate love affair with native plants. This collection of 44 personal narratives is sumptuously illustrated by photographs by John Maillard, who travelled from Invercargill to Auckland to bring to life contributors' garden stories. Contributors include Peri Drysdale, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Tim Shadbolt, Steven Tindall, and a host of conservationists and gardeners esteemed in their locales. First published August 2008.

The first of 2 volumes of a full-colour identification guide to 1500 species of marine invertebrate found around the coasts of New Zealand, this book is intended for divers and naturalists as well as professional scientists. Sections on each major taxonomic group - e.g. starfishes, crustaceans and molluscs - describe in plain language each animal's morphology, habitat, abundance, distribution, depth range and commercial importance, and introduce and scientific literature. More than 2500 illustrations include colour photos by New Ze... read more

Shortlisted for the 2004 Montana NZ Book awards, Environment section. Blue water, black abyss. The deep sea is home to millions of species, most of them yet undiscovered. It hosts a level of biodiversity that rivals that of lush tropical rainforests. Mostly unexplored, the deep sea is perhaps the last true biological frontier. Deep New Zealand is the first book to explore life in the many deep-ocean habitats that surround this island nation. Its scope is considerable, for the sea within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zo... read more

Many years ago Hugh Wilson had a dream. A renowned South Island botanist and conservationalist, he dreamt of restoring a patch of Banks Peninsula to its original preistine condition. Twenty-five years later his vision has almost come to fruition. From a gorse-covered block, with a small remnant of ancient bush, he and a group of enthusiastic helpers have created the Hinewai Nature Reserve, a wonderful wilderness which has become one of the trasures of Banks Peninsula, renowned not only in the South Island but throughout the whole ... read more

With its extensive coastline and unique location in the South Pacific, New Zealand is a world centre of seabird activity. Field Guide to New Zealand Seabirds provides a ready identification and up-to-date information of the many species that are likely to be encountered in New Zealand waters. Viewing localities are given in a handy checklist. Over 100 photographs are featured, and each species is described in terms of: identification key behavioural characteristics similar speciespopulation status distribution and breeding ... read more

New Zealand is world famous for its natural environment: its changeable and unique landscape, its strange and wonderful flora and fauna. This book is both guidebook and celebration, a handbook outlining the most significant features of our wilderness and introducing the key species and where they can easily be observed and experienced. As the title suggests, the book is about easily accessible nature experiences: viewing areas and hides from which rare birds can be observed, short bush walks and even what can be seen directly f... read more

Everyone has heard of the tuatara, New Zealand's unique 'living dinosaur'; but equally fascinating, if less well known, are the country's other reptiles. There are more than 65 species of lizards (including skinks and geckos), frogs and other reptiles and amphibians native to New Zealand, and scientists such as author Tony Jewell are still discovering new species and subspecies today. In this new addition to a popular series, Tony covers all the known species from Northland to the far south; his text is backed up by outstanding pho... read more

New Zealand is under attack! The 'invaders' of the title are the animals from overseas that have made New Zealand their home - often by human hand and usually with disastrous consequences for the local wildlife. Some of the best-loved newcomers are the worst offenders - cats, mice, hedgehogs, dogs, possums - and between them they have snuffed out untold numbers of native animals and plants. This book dishes out home truths and fascinating insights that will encourage children to take a fresh look at the environment and how to prote... read more

Birds add an immeasurable element of life, movement and colour to your garden, and this delightful book of more than 35 recipes provides the ideal way of not only tempting them to pay a visit but also ensuring that they stay healthy all year round, particularly during winter. The recipes feature inexpensive everyday items from the pantry and involve a minimum of fuss, making the preparation an enjoyable activity to share with friends and family. They cater to both native and introduced birds, from tui (of course) and silvereye to t... read more

With colour photographs illustrating 165 species this compact guide is the ideal pocket-size travelling companion. Contains fact-filled descriptions highlighting key identification features of New Zealand seashells. Compact and easy to use.

New Zealand's native forests are rich and fascinating ecosystems, and the interactions between the various plants and animals are as interesting as the individuals themselves. This book provides identifcation for a range of common plants and animals, as well as insights into the intriguing and vital interactions between them. With a colour-coded layout and stunning photographs, it is a comprehensive and innovative guide to the wonders of the New Zealand forest

New Zealanders live in a beautiful but demanding land - the challenges of coping with its rugged mountains, powerful rivers and extremes of weather have helped forge the national character. The natural forces that create the country's stunning scenery present many hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, storms, floods and landslides. Being prepared to deal with these dangers is the price of living in a dynamic landscape. This fascinating book from the team at Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand uses a combinati... read more

This superbly illustrated book tells the many stories of New Zealanders and the Sea: From the science of oceanography and climate, to the history of boat building and shipping, lighthouses, castaways, the fishing industry, marine conservation, recreational boating and fishing, kaimoana and aquaculture and, of course, surfing. 272 pages in 286 x 210 mm format, colour and monochrome throughout Published November 2009.

Award-winning international wildlife photographer Tui de Roy spent much of her life living on and photographing the Galapagos Islands before setting up her base in New Zealand. From here, she travels the world capturing breathtaking images of special natural places and the plants and animals that inhabit them. In this book, she turns her attention to her adopted country New Zealand. Over 350 photographs detail the habitats and many birds and animals unique to this country. Unlike many natural history books, Tui captures the charact... read more