The fauna of the islands is so peculiar that scientists single out the New Zealand faunistic region in particular (for comparison, it can be noted that almost all North America, Northern and Central Europe, and about half of Asia together make up one Holarctic region).
The fauna of New Zealand is characterized by a high degree of endemism (for example, 93% of all birds in New Zealand are endemic); the absence of some important groups of animals (for example, ungulates, predators, etc.); the low number of many species, which served as one of the reasons for their extinction (this fact is curious - a single cat of the lighthouse keeper destroyed all the birds belonging to an endemic species that lived only on the island where the lighthouse stood); the rapid pace of evolution, which contributed to the emergence of such deviations as gigantism (now extinct moa birds reached a height of 3 m), or, conversely, dwarfism, shortening of limbs, etc.
New Zealand has a large number of flightless birds (only a little less than half of all wingless forms known on the globe are registered here). The flightless kiwi bird, covered with long brown feathers, more like hair, is widely known and has become a symbol of New Zealand.
Perhaps, a unique species of parrots, the kakapo, is living its last days on earth, outwardly almost indistinguishable from an owl. Both of these flightless birds, like many other animals, were ruthlessly exterminated by people.
Other not so original, but also unique representatives of the avifauna of the islands are also interesting.
Nowhere else on the globe is the New Zealand thuja bird, an incomparable singer, with whom only the bell bird can argue in virtuosity. Tui is so popular that many women bear her name.
There are only a few drummer hueks left, the most curious birds of the islands; the kaka and kea parrots are also rare. The fate of the latter inspires serious concern because of the ingrained misconception that this only predatory parrot in the world attacks sheep and therefore must be exterminated.
Takahe, a bird that was considered extinct, gained world fame. The rediscovery of the takahe in 1948 and the struggle to preserve this unique species would make for a fascinating literary narrative.
Birds of New Zealand are known not only for their uniqueness. It is also widely known that individual representatives of New Zealand's avifauna are disappearing from the face of the earth with monstrous speed. The disappearance of the rarest species is mainly due to the immoderate hunting of birds for fun, and also because of the beautiful feathers, the fashion for which in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. contributed to the astronomical rise in prices for them and, accordingly, the unrestrained extermination of the most beautiful representatives of birds. Colossal damage was caused to the bird fauna, especially to rare and small species, by collectors.
The yellow-eyed penguin living in New Zealand, unlike its counterparts nesting on the coast and leaving for the winter in the sea, nests and lives in the forest.
But perhaps the most amazing animal in New Zealand is the tuatara, or tuatara, a living fossil, the oldest terrestrial vertebrate animal (tuatars lived on Earth even before the appearance of mammoths).
As in other islands of Oceania, the equilibrium in the nature of the New Zealand Islands since the appearance of man has been very unstable. The settlement of the islands by Maori Polynesians was initially accompanied by burning forests and other actions that harmed nature, but subsequently the Maori used their lands very wisely.
The system of taboos (prohibitions) ensured strict control over the implementation of established norms. Forest clearing was regulated, terraces were created on cultivated slopes to prevent erosion; ditches and trenches were dug to stop the spread of sand dunes and pebbles. Such measures bore fruit: the balance in natural ecosystems was almost not disturbed.
The picture changed dramatically for the worse with the advent of the white man. The first European settlements appeared in New Zealand at the beginning of the last century, and at that time domestic animals brought by sailors - pigs, goats, sheep, horses, etc., as well as uninvited guests - rats, mice, had already begun to spread in coastal areas.
In the following decades, New Zealand brought for the purpose of acclimatization 54 species of mammals, 142 species of birds and many other animals.
A significant part of alien plants was brought along with the seeds of cultivated and ornamental species, as well as in other ways. The total number of plant species introduced to New Zealand is enormous, over 600.
The invasion of this army of aliens, often aggressive towards local species, the destruction of established local biocenoses, especially Tassek and subtropical forests, caused enormous damage to the nature of New Zealand. According to one of the New Zealand scientists, during the 100 years of their rule, the Europeans have changed the biological aspect of New Zealand more than nature and man over the previous 5 millennia.
By the middle of the XX century. the situation was recognized as so serious that all sections of the country's population, from schoolchildren to senior government officials, were involved in the cause of nature protection. After carrying out long-term and costly measures to restore deforested forests, recultivate eroded lands, regulate the number of introduced animals, etc., the situation in the country began to improve.
Today, New Zealand demonstrates not only the consequences of the overexploitation of natural resources, but also examples of the successful application of science-based measures to restore them.
Beauty and nature of New Zealand
Each country in the world has its own amazing nature, but in New Zealand all natural ecosystems are brought together.
Huge open spaces surround and inspire. The ocean and many kilometers of coastlines, fields and meadows, forests and mountains, lakes and underground springs, as well as the purest air, it is felt even in big cities.
Unity with nature
The tribes of the indigenous Maori people, long before the Europeans, settled in the country of a long white cloud - Aotearoa, as they call New Zealand. The nature of New Zealand will not leave indifferent any traveler or inhabitant of this country.
New Zealanders have absorbed the spirit of the vast and free expanses of their country, so all types of active rest and sports. Mountains and the ocean give a lot of opportunities for this.
Caring for the environment and nature
New Zealanders treat their environment and nature with love and awe. Strict control is exercised in areas related to the development of land, fishing, water purity and other things related to the protection of nature from external factors. More than 30% of the land is national parks and protected areas.
There are a number of conservation campaigns to preserve the ecology and protect flora and fauna, including the unofficial symbol of New Zealand, the Kiwi bird.
Starting from airports, biocontrol of arriving passengers is carried out, this is aimed at preventing the transportation of microorganisms and insects dangerous to nature into the country.
beautiful scenery
According to the latest surveys of tourists and immigrants, 90% of them confirmed their expectations for the beauty and purity of New Zealand nature and colorful landscapes.
What can you expect in New Zealand? If you have seen the film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, you will have an idea of high mountain ranges, mysterious lakes and rivers, volcanic plateaus, vast open plains, forests, glaciers, vast agricultural lands and thousands of kilometers of coastline with magnificent sandy beaches…. This is the greatness of New Zealand nature.
These are not just landscapes in a picture or in a movie, you can touch them all yourself accessible ways, by car, on foot, by boat, on horseback, by helicopter, by railway and even on rubber rafts...
Small population density
The territory of New Zealand can be compared with the territories of Great Britain or Japan, while the population is just over 4.5 million people. On average, the population density is 16 people per square kilometer, as opposed to 253 people in the UK or 337 people in Japan. Therefore, every resident of the country can fully enjoy the unity with nature in any corner of New Zealand.
Temperate climate
New Zealand is not a tropical country, but the climate in this country is the most favorable for humans. In summer there are no long periods of heat, and in winter there are no snowfalls. Summers are mild and warm from December to February, while winters are wet and frost-free from June to August.
However, being a maritime state, the weather can change quickly even within a single day. There are also big differences in climate geography: in the north, the climate is subtropical, while further south there can be cold winds. It can also be warm and sunny on the east coast and rainy over the mountains in the west. Like nature, the climate is also varied in New Zealand.
Long historical isolation and remoteness from other continents has created a unique and in many ways inimitable natural world islands of New Zealand, which differs especially big amount endemic - that is, local - birds. As for mammals, reptiles and fish, the number of their endemic species is significantly inferior to birds.
Additionally, we recommend that you visit the following sections: tours to New Zealand, visas to New Zealand, air tickets to New Zealand.
mammals
Before the advent of humans in New Zealand (about 1300), the only endemic mammals here were three species of bats: long-tailed and short-tailed (sheath-winged).
Seals and whales, once found everywhere in New Zealand, in the 19th century. were almost exterminated. Now several colonies of seals are known: sea lions, fur seals.
Whales and dolphins meet in the sea constantly. During the period October-December, herds of migratory whales can be found in the Cook Strait. Of the 77 species of dolphins and whales in New Zealand, 35 species occur. The endemic of these places is Hector's dolphin.
A great danger to New Zealand is introduced animals that undermine the ecosystem of the islands. Therefore, the populations of deer, possums, rats, mustelids are under government control.
The wide distribution of mustelids (trochees, ermines and weasels) negatively affects the fauna of the islands. It is very difficult to control their livestock, because mustelids lead a secretive lifestyle. Stoats kill about 40 kiwi chicks a day on the North Island, they eat 15 thousand birds a year, that is, 60% of all chicks. The other 35% fall victim to ferrets. Only 5% of kiwi chicks survive on the North Island.
Of the reptiles, the tuatara (better known as tuatara), which is the only representative of the Sphenodontia order, is interesting. Her contemporaries died out 60 million years ago.
New Zealand frogs belong to the genus Leiopelma, an ancient and primitive group of frogs. For 70 million years, they have changed little.
Seven species of endemic frogs are known, three of them have died out, four are alive to this day, occurring mainly on small islands.
There are no snakes in New Zealand.
Insects
The insect world in New Zealand is very diverse. Its distinctive feature is the gigantic size of some species, which is associated with the absence of snakes and small mammals in the country. Giant wingless weta grasshoppers have taken on the ecological role of specialized seed dispersers for plants with succulent fruits.
To this day, rare spiders and red admiral butterflies are found in abundance on small islands. Other large insects are the flightless stag beetle, barbel beetle and stick insects.
Birds
Most New Zealand animals are endemic and found nowhere else but New Zealand. There are practically no placental mammals and predators, which are represented by rats, dogs and bats. The absence of predators has allowed the preservation of a huge number of rare species, mainly birds.
In the rainforest, where the branches of shrubs, trunks, lianas are tightly intertwined, the kiwi, the smallest bird from the wingless Apterigidae family, still lives.
In New Zealand, the remains of extinct moas, or dinornis, giant flightless birds, some of which reached 3.6 m in height and weighed a quarter of a ton, were found.
The indispensable inhabitants of the forests of New Zealand have always been such colorful birds as the wingless takahe and saddle huya.
The waters of the country are rich in waterfowl: black swans, cormorants, skuas, boobies, ducks, swallows, stilt-walkers, penguins, and gulls are common here. Many albatrosses live here, and among them the largest species is royal albatrosses with a wingspan of more than 3.5 m. Patek (Auckland teal), fairy tern, blue duck (wayo) are also common.
Among the songbirds are: New Zealand thuja, bell bird (makomako), New Zealand kereru pigeon.
The parrot family is represented by: owl macaw, yellow-fronted parrot, kea, kaka, Chatham black flycatcher.
Five species of penguins live in New Zealand, which are found only in this country: the most represented are the yellow-eyed penguin, the crested penguin.
Fish
New Zealand has 35 endemic fish species that are found nowhere else.
In the waters of New Zealand, two types of eels (small-finned and long-finned) are found; lamprey, retropinna vulgaris, galaxia.
There are safe for humans Australian spotted cat sharks, drummers, red snapper and king fish, mackerel, paua clams.
Official website of the New Zealand Department of Conservation:
Sheath-winged
Case-winged bats (bag-winged bats)- a family of mammals of the order Chiroptera. It consists of a single species, a small sheath wing, common in New Zealand and on about. Stuart.
sea lions
New Zealand Sea Lion or Hooker's Sea Lion- a large eared seal of the subantarctic islands.
Seals
New Zealand fur seal- a species of eared seals from the fur seal subfamily. Belongs to the genus of southern fur seals.
bristletails
Kuzu, brushtails, bristletail possums- a genus of mammals of the possum family. Includes five types.
new zealand skinks
new zealand skinks are represented by three species: large skink, Otago skink, Sutera skink. Of these, the first is the most represented.
Kiwi
Kiwi- the only genus of keelless birds in the eponymous family and order of kiwi-like, or wingless. Includes five species endemic to New Zealand.
Takahe
Takahe, the wingless sultan- a flightless rare bird, considered extinct. It lives in the mountains of the South Island, near Lake Te Anau, New Zealand. Belongs to the shepherd family.
saddle huia
saddle huia- a rare New Zealand bird of the New Zealand starling family of the passerine order.
New Zealand is the land of green hills and the flightless miracle bird kiwi. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed here, the north is warmer than the south, and the sun goes counterclockwise towards sunset.
hatched. Long historical isolation and remoteness from other continents have created a unique and in many ways inimitable natural world of the islands of New Zealand, which is distinguished by a large number of endemic plants and birds. 
Milford Sound is a fjord in the southwestern part of New Zealand's South Island. Named "the eighth wonder of the world" by Rudyard Kipling. 
Steep cliffs reaching a height of 130 meters. Penguins live here. 
Security Penguin 
Glowing worms that attract flying insects to a sticky thread trap.
In the limestone caves of the Waitomo region of New Zealand, an amazing phenomenon called the “lure” of glowworms takes place. In fact, it is a type of fungal mosquito that lives only in a few regions of New Zealand. On the walls and ceilings of caves, these insects form entire galaxies of amazing beauty. 
About 1000 years ago, before the appearance of permanent human settlements on the islands, mammals were historically completely absent. The exceptions were two species of bats and coastal whales, sea lions and fur seals.
Simultaneously with the arrival of the first permanent residents, the Polynesians, on the islands, small rats and dogs appeared. Later, the first European settlers brought pigs, cows, goats, mice and cats. The development of European settlements in the 19th century caused the appearance in New Zealand of more and more new species of animals.
The appearance of some of them had an extremely negative impact on the flora and fauna of the islands. Such animals include rats, cats, ferrets, rabbits (brought into the country for the development of hunting), as well as stoats (brought into the country to control the rabbit population).
Ermine 
The relief of New Zealand is mainly hills and mountains. More than 75% of the country's territory lies at an altitude of more than 200 m above sea level. Most of the mountains of the North Island do not exceed 1800 m in height. 19 peaks of the South Island are higher than 3000 m. 
It is he! Of the representatives of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become the national symbol of the country. 
Presumably, the ancestors of modern kiwis came to New Zealand from Australasia about 30 million years ago. These flightless birds, about the size of an ordinary chicken, are so different from other birds that zoologist William Calder called them "honorary mammals."
New Zealand is located on two large islands (North and South) and in large numbers(approximately 700) adjacent smaller islands. The population, according to Statistics New Zealand as of June 2015, is 4,596,700. 
Another local. This is a tuatara. It lives on several small islands in New Zealand. Hatteria is an endangered relict species and is subject to protection. Included in the IUCN Red List, now has the conservation status of a vulnerable species. 
There are 129 geothermal areas in New Zealand. This hot spring The Champagne Pool is located in the geothermal area of Waiotapu on the North Island of New Zealand. The name "Champagne Pool" comes from the constant outflow of carbon dioxide, similar to bubbling champagne in a glass. The vibrant colors of this amazing geothermal spring come from rich mineral and silicate deposits. The age of the source is 900 years. 
Native gray fantail. One of the smallest and agile birds in New Zealand. 
New Zealand is one of the most recently settled territories. Different kinds analyzes suggest that the first eastern Polynesians settled here in 1250-1300 after extensive travel to the South Pacific Islands. 
Sea lions in New Zealand are among the rarest species. 
Reflections of New Zealand autumn. 
Kakapo, or owl parrot, is a nocturnal flightless bird that is endemic to New Zealand. Possibly one of the oldest living bird species. 
These flowers are among the highest living buttercups in the world (over 1500 meters high). Bloom in summer. The flora of New Zealand has about 2,000 plant species. 
Weta is the collective name for more than 100 species found in New Zealand. Specifically, this species has a size of 3.6 cm and is very creative in escaping from predators - it jumps into the water and sits there for up to 5 minutes, until the predator loses interest in it. 
Terrible predator. Carnivorous and able to smell their prey in the forests, these snails feed mainly on earthworms. 
There are 3280 lakes in New Zealand. This is one of the few countries in the southern hemisphere that has glaciers on its territory (Tasmanian, Fox, Franz Josef, etc.). 
Only in New Zealand have the remains of giant flightless moa birds exterminated about 500 years ago, reaching a height of 3.5 m, survived. 
Despite the fact that filming began in New Zealand as early as the 1920s, the film industry only gained momentum in the 1970s. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, the films The Last Samurai and The Chronicles of Narnia were especially famous. 
That's all for today 
Before the advent of humans in New Zealand (about 1300), the only endemic mammals here were three species of bats: long-tailed - Chalinolobus, with a membrane for the entire length of the tail, with which they capture insects on the fly, and short-tailed - large sheaths - Mystacina robusta and small - Mystacina tuberculata.
Casewings live on the islands but have reduced their population and disappeared in many places, exterminated by ship rats. They weigh 12-15 grams, have characteristic pointed ears and gray mouse color. Unlike other bats, which hunt exclusively in the air, casewings catch prey on the ground, using folded wings as limbs to move along the flat floor. IN cold weather casewings fall into a stupor and do not leave their shelters, awakening in the warm season. Males attract females with a kind of "singing". These animals feed on insects, fruits, nectar and pollen, being pollinators of plants.
long tailed bats ( Chalinolobus tuberculatus) are common, both on the main islands and on smaller ones. They are inferior in size to casewings, weigh 8-11 grams, have small ears, and a beautiful brown color. They can reach a speed of 60 km / h, their area is one hundred square meters. km.
Sea creatures
Seals and whales, once ubiquitous in New Zealand, were all but wiped out in the nineteenth century. Now several colonies of seals are known: sea lions Zalophus californianus, fur seals Callorhinus ursinus, sea leopards Hydrurga leptonyx and sea elephants mirounga leonina. On the beaches among the stones you can find a lot of fur seals and get close to them at arm's length. They are absolutely not afraid of humans. Sea lions are less common. Despite their size (and they are very large), they move quickly, so you need to be careful, although they are quite friendly. Whales and dolphins meet in the sea constantly.
immigrant animals
A great danger to New Zealand is introduced animals that undermine the ecosystem of the islands. Therefore, the populations of deer, possums, rats, mustelids are under government control.
Deer were brought to New Zealand 150 years ago. Now the following species live here: red deer - Cervus elaphus, Sika deer - Cervus nippon, European brown deer - lady lady, wapiti - Cervus canadensis, Indian sambar - deer Cervus unicolor, White-tailed deer - Odocoileus virginianus and maned Zambar - Cervus timorensis. The increase in the number of deer negatively affects the local flora.
Kiore, or Pacific rat Rattus exulans- the third largest of all rats, found throughout the Pacific region and Asian countries. Kiore swim poorly and arrived in the country along with people. Together with the gray rat pasyuk Rattus norvegicus and black rat Rattus rattus they attack birds that nest on the ground, eat eggs and chicks, exterminate lizards and insects.
population wild horses kaimanawa (Kaimanawa Wild Horses) has 500 individuals. they destroy the rare flora of the islands, so they are assigned areas where there are no vulnerable and rare species flora.
Australian bristle-tailed possum
The wide distribution of mustelids - trochees, ermines and weasels adversely affects the fauna of the islands. It is very difficult to control their livestock, because mustelids lead a secretive lifestyle. Stoats kill about 40 kiwi chicks a day on the North Island, they will eat 15,000 birds a year, that is, 60% of all chicks. The other 35% fall victim to ferrets. Only 5% of kiwi chicks survive on the North Island.
Australian bristle-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula was brought to New Zealand in 1837 to develop the fur trade. At home, possum populations were controlled by dingoes, forest fires, and poor vegetation. In New Zealand, they exist in favorable conditions, so they breed twice a year. The number of opossums is estimated at 70 million individuals, they account for 7 million tons of vegetation per year. Possums cause great harm to forestry by eating young shoots, and valuable species of endemic trees (rata, totara, titoki, kowhai, kohekohe) suffer from them. They are food competitors and natural enemies of birds and land snails, as well as carriers of tuberculosis.
Geckos and skinks
There are 90 known species of lizards in New Zealand. They live at altitudes from sea level to 2000 m. Mayori call them ngarara (or karara - southern dialect). Of these, 16 species of geckos and 28 species of skinks are distinguished. The oldest gecko lived for 42 years, although their usual life in nature is 30 years. new zealand skinks big Oligosoma grande and otago Oligosoma otagense viviparous, of which the second reaches 30 cm and is considered a giant among endemic lizards. They breed annually, having 3-6 (rarely 10) cubs. Skink Sutera Oligosoma suteri lays eggs.
The smallest lizards belong to the genus New Zealand skinks, cyclodins -
Cyclodina, the smallest of its representatives, copper skink Cyclodina aenea has 120 mm in length.
Tuatara
Of the reptiles, the hatteria is interesting Sphenodon punctatus, or tuatara, which is the only representative of the Sphenodontia order. This medium-sized lizard, weighing between 300 and 1000 g, is a contemporary of the dinosaurs and has lived on earth for 200 million years. Her contemporaries died out 60 million years ago.
Once the tuatara was distributed throughout New Zealand, but now it has survived only on thirty-two small islands, where there are no rodents and natural predators introduced by man. The tuatara keeps near colonies of seabirds, whose droppings serve as a nutritional basis for the life of many invertebrates on which the tuatara feeds.
As with other lizards, the temperature at which the eggs develop affects the sex of the offspring.
Rare skinks
Chevron Skink - Oligosoma homalonotum- one of the rarest lizards in New Zealand. This is a large lizard 30 cm long, with a pattern of two dark and one light stripe running from the eyes to the upper lip. Between the stripes is mint in the form of a drop. About 250 places where they are found have been established, all of them are located near water. Almost nothing is known about the life of these lizards. Chevron skinks make loud sounds like grunts and squeaks. The female brings 8 cubs, but does not breed every year.
Endemic frogs
New Zealand frogs belong to the genus Leiopelma, an ancient and primitive group of frogs. For 70 million years, they have changed little. These are small nocturnal frogs that are well camouflaged. Three species live in shady forest areas, one keeps near water and leads a semi-underground lifestyle. Characteristic features distinguish them from other frogs of the world. They do not have an external eardrum, their eyes are round, not a narrow slit, they do not croak often, they do not have tadpoles - a fully formed frog hatches from the egg. Parents take care of the offspring, and the male archer frog - Leiopelma archeyi carries the juvenile on its back.
Seven species of endemic frogs are known, three of them have died out, four are alive to this day, occurring mainly on small islands.
Predatory snails povelliphanta
Land snails of the genus Powelliphanta whose curl diameter reaches 90 mm, live in secluded corners of the forest, in small colonies. The color of the shell is very beautiful: shades of red, brown, yellow and brown.
They are different from the common snail Helix aspersa/, which also live in New Zealand and are considered agricultural pests. There is a known case when the development of coal mines in Westpoint (South Island) was stopped due to the fact that a colony of 250 snails lived in this place. The colony was moved and released elsewhere.
21 species and 51 subspecies of these snails are known.
Unlike other snails, povelliphants are carnivores and feed on earthworms that are sucked into their mouths like we eat spaghetti. Their other prey is slugs. Powellifants can lift a load of 90 g. These hermaphrodite snails, having male and female genital organs, therefore mate with any adult representative of their kind, laying annually 5-10 large eggs, 12-14 mm long, in a hard shell, which are similar on the eggs of small birds.
They are nocturnal, spending most of their lives in damp leafy litter and under fallen trees. Snails live up to 20 years.
giant insects
The insect world in New Zealand is very diverse. Its distinctive feature is the gigantic size of some species, which is associated with the absence of snakes and small mammals there. Giant wingless grasshoppers Deinacrida rugosa took on the ecological role of specialized seed distributors of plants with juicy fruits. Veta reach 7 cm in length. To this day, rare spiders and red admiral butterflies are found in abundance on small islands.
Other large insects - flightless stag beetle Geodorcus helmsi, barbel beetle and stick insects.
Argentine ants
Argentine ants - Linepithema humile- are very aggressive, and although they are not poisonous, their bites are very painful for humans. Unlike other species, Argentine ants live in huge colonies, maintaining connections with each other, thus forming supercolonies. In the place of their accumulation, Argentine ants are voracious and very aggressive towards other insect species. You can recognize the Argentine ant by its size - they reach 2-3 mm in length, yellow-brown color (other New Zealand ants are black), and the width of the track, along which 5 or more lines of ants can simultaneously pass. In search of food, they can climb trees. They crowd out other ant species from New Zealand and become a serious food competitor for birds and lizards, taking insects and worms from them, as well as nectar.
