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New Zealand's marine-oriented wildlife is rich and diverse.
The nature-loving traveller will have numerous opportunities
to satisfy his or her interest and passion, and wildlife sightseeing
alone can easily be one of the highlights of any trip. In fact,
for overseas visitors, this activity might well justify coming
to New Zealand in the first place. New Zealand is one of the
great places of the world in terms of diversity and numbers
of seabirds. A similar place would be occupied by marine mammals,
if 19th and early 20th century over-hunting had not brought
a number of species to the brink of extinction. However several
are recovering, and New Zealand's waters are rich with a diversity
of species of dolphins, whales, and pinnipeds. The same can
be said of fish and other marine creatures. Unusual environments
like the Poor Knights and Three Kings Islands, as well as the
fiords of Fiordland, have favoured the concentration of rare
species, or the emergence of unusual associations of species.
Land-dwelling wildlife is less spectacular and often more difficult
to approach. But it is possible to see and hear a variety of
native forest birds, both in the wild and in special sanctuaries,
especially offshore islands. Where the population of these birds
is large the experience of their singing alone makes the trip
worthwhile. The much-vaunted dawn chorus can be both astounding
and magical.
Learn more about Natural
history/the Wildlife of New Zealand
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Marine mammals, especially dolphins and seals (New Zealand
fur seals), are commonly seen all around New Zealand.
After having been hunted relentlessly until the early
19th century, New Zealand fur seals are re-establishing
themselves. Colonies are common in the South Island, and
they have started to breed again in the North Island.
Nowadays sperm whales are the most commonly seen and observed
whales in New Zealand waters, but a number of other species
can be seen as well. Southern right whales occasionally
return to the Cook Strait area where they were once common,
while minke, Bryde's and humpback whales are common visitors
to the Hauraki Gulf. The sub-antarctic islands have remained
a haven for several species of pinnipeds and southern
right whales.
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"New Zealand is one of the major seabird centres
of the world. Because of the country's extensive coastline
and many inshore and offshore islands, it is possible
for the keen obsever to see more seabirds here than in
most other countries. Three-quarters of the world's albatrosses,
penguins and petrels and half the shearwaters and shags
are to be found here, along with numerous representatives
of a number of other groups. Moreover, a good proportion
of these can be viewed without going far offshore".
Brian
Parkinson: Field Guide to New Zealand Seabirds.
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Waders are found in many areas of New Zealand, in the
shallow protected coastal waters of estuaries and harbours
but also inland, especially along the beds of the South
Island's braided rivers. In spring, migrations bring large
numbers of waders to New Zealand from their arctic breeding
grounds. Others migrate between the North and South Islands.
Places such as Miranda on the Firth of Thames, Farewell
Spit, and Waituna are of international significance, and
several others provide excellent opportunities to watch
large congregations of such birds.
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Prior to the arrival of humans (less than 1000 years
ago) New Zealand had no land mammals (except 2 species
of bat). Instead its land was inhabited by a small but
remarkably diverse bird fauna. For the most part these
New Zealand forest birds are endemic, that is they are
peculiar to New Zealand. Unfortunately many remarkable
species, moas, giant (Haast) eagle and others are now
extinct, most probably exterminated by humans in the last
few hundred years. Several other species are endangered,
and often owe their survival only to offshore island sanctuaries
or 'mainland islands', which are, when visiting is not
restricted, destinations of outstanding interest for sightseers.
Among the remaining species the kiwi is truly a remarkable,
unique bird. Its nocturnal habits make it near impossible
to see in the wild, apart from Stewart Island, but it
is commonly heard. The kea, a mountain parrot, is also
remarkable and can easily be seen at specific locations.
Other birds that can be seen easily enough in the wild
include New Zealand pigeons, tuis, bellbirds, and the
smaller fantails, tomtits, and grey warblers. The New
Zealand forest birds are also remarkable for their singing,
especially tuis, bellbirds and kokakos. Where their numbers
are high the experience of their singing, especially the
much-vaunted 'dawn chorus', is a magical moment that brings
to mind and memory the not-so-old times when the primaeval
forests of New Zealand were their unchallenged domain.
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Top: Originally established on Oaia Island, the gannet
colony at Muriwai (west Auckland) has more recently
expanded on to the rock stack visible in the right foreground,
as well as on the mainland (viewing platform just visible
on left). This is one of only three gannet colonies
established on the mainland in New Zealand. It is also
the most accessible, only a few minutes walk from the
carpark. The birds are usually present from October
to January. Photo NC.
Bottom: Gannets nesting. Photo C. Smuts-Kennedy, courtesy
of Department of Conservation.
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