Fauna and Flora in NZ

At the time of the installation of Maoris in the country, two species of lizards, the gecko and will tuatara it existed, some species of frogs and bats. Stags, rabbits, sheep, goat, pig were imported in Zealand News. There exist a great number of indigenous birds such as the kea or the takahe. They are species in the process of disappearance and very protected. And the kiwi, which is the animal emblematic of the New Zealanders of which they kept the nickname of Kiwis! The kiwi, practically deprived of wings, is a rare night bird and shy person who hides in the moved back places of the country. He is unfortunately threatened of disappearance.

Contrary, the New Zealand flora is exceptionally developed. The insulation of the island and its late colonization contributed to the development of single plant species. One would count 1500 species which exist only in Zealand News, such as kowhai gilded or the pohutukawa. The kaponga which is a symbol of the country.

The greatest richness is however underwater: the peninsula of Kaikoura advances above a large canyon rich in plankton, which attracts many species of dolphins and Cetacea. In the abyssals zone, the large cachalots drive out most imperceptible of the preys: the giant squid. Passed Christchurch, capital of the island of the South, the southern influence is more felt. In the middle same of the port of Oamaru, one attends the very mediatized return of the blue penguins, smallest of the world (40 cm). All is held at the fallen night, under the eye of the projectors… Some more isolated sites are attended by the extremely rare penguin in yellow eye, of which would remain only approximately 400 reproductive couples. To see emerging from the floods, after an interminable day spent to fish to 30 kms with broad, is one moment full with emotion.
On the peninsula of Otago and beyond, one crosses also albatross and sea elephants. The insulation of Fiordland was worth, as for him, one crowned surprised with the scientists: in 1948, on the embrumés tops of the Murchison mounts, with more than 1.000 m of altitude, they have redécouvert a bird which one believed disappeared for a long time, the takahe, which nourishes tussock (thick grass) pushing on the slopes.