Services to Schools

Services to SchoolsExplore this section

New Zealand Flora and Fauna

Many plants and animals are unique to New Zealand. This topic covers a range of resources on various habitats, conservation issues, endangered species, rongoā (medicinal use) and agencies like DOC that help protect our environment. SCIS no. 1808311

Filter by media type

Filter by keyword

Display as

All items

Jet fighter' godwit breaks world record for non-stop bird flight

Bar-tailed godwit flies more than 12,000km from Alaska to New Zealand in 11 days.

Giant Weta

A giant wētā is featured on this 1997 issue of the 40-cent stamp. The artwork is by natural history writer and artist Dave Gunson.

Grasshopper sanctuary a world-first in Mackenzie District

Believed to be a world first an insect sanctuary has been set up for one of New Zealand's rarest species - the robust grasshopper.

Kea bird call

Listen to our inquisitive and mischievous mountain parrot, considered to be one of the most intelligent birds in the world.

European discovery of plants and animals

European discovery of plants and animals

Information about how early explorers discovered and named new species found in New Zealand.

Endangered species

Endangered species

Shows posters portraying New Zealand's most endangered species, such as short tailed bats, kakapos, takahe, giant wetas, and DOC staff. Refers to the announcement in March 2013 that the Department ...

Cabbage tree

Article about the New Zealand cabbage tree.

Pureora Forest protest, 1978

Pureora Forest protest, 1978

In 1978 conservation activists occupied Pureora Forest to try to stop the felling of native trees. They built platforms in trees, sat on the ground in front of trees and on tracks, and hid under lo...

Matakohe kauri - roadside stories

Matakohe kauri - roadside stories

Northland was once covered in magnificent kauri forests - but almost all were logged after Europeans arrived in New Zealand. Felling the giant trees was dangerous work, and dams were built so the l...

Bush scene with flowering rata and young rimu

Bush scene with flowering rata and young rimu

Shows view looking down a slope on which a flowering rata is growing at the centre, and a rimu on the left. Further away and to the right are tree ferns, and a tree with vines hanging from it is at...

Kōwhai

Dried flowers, seeds and leaves of the kōwhai tree.

Native worm

Image of the native worm Octochaetus multiporus.

Kākāpō-feather cloak

Kākāpō-feather cloak

Some 11,000 kākāpō feathers adorn this remarkable cloak, probably made in the early 19th century. Kākāpō-feather cloaks are rare, and were worn by people of high status. This example is held in Per...

Rongoā – medicinal use of plants

Information about how the Māori used plants for medicinal purposes.

Seals, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve

Seals, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve

Fur seals have been totally protected for decades, and their numbers have increased as a result. They and all marine mammal species still enjoy protection if they swim out of marine reserves. But f...

Bats: lesser short-tailed bats and long-tailed bats

New Zealand’s two native bat species are the lesser short-tailed bat and long-tailed bat. Lesser short-tailed bats Lesser short-tailed bats (Mystacina tuberculata) are stocky little animals with pa...

Native flowers of New Zealand

Native flowers of New Zealand

An arrangement of a variety of native flowers, in a wooden bowl with Maori carvings. The flowers include pohutukawa, clematis, kowhai, kakabeak, hebes and daisies Printed at Star Litho. Works, Au...

Photo Gallery - native plants

Photo gallery of native New Zealand plants.

Guide to New Zealand soil invertebrates

Everything you need to know about New Zealand soil invertebrates.

Kiwi Conservation Club

Forest & Bird’s Kiwi Conservation Club connects Kiwi kids to New Zealand’s amazing wildlife and wild places.

New Zealand birds online

Digital encyclopaedia for identifying native bird species.

New Zealand fauna

Website containing photos and information about New Zealand fauna.

Birds from A - Z

From albatrosses to yellowheads you can learn more about some of New Zealand's native birds.

All about insects

Facts, photos and diagrams about insects found in New Zealand.

Hector’s dolphin

How to behave when sharing the water with the endangered Hector's dolphin.

New Zealand biodiversity

Definitive lists of names for plants and animals native to New Zealand.

5 native New Zealand plants you can eat

Information about 5 edible native New Zealand plants.

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Website containing detailed information about our native plants.

Department of Conservation

Contains useful links on native flora and fauna and what threatens them.

100% Pure New Zealand

Cartoon showing how cheeky keas can be.

Parks and recreation

Information about national parks, outdoor activities and safety information.

Video about Otago skinks.

Save Manapouri share

Save Manapouri share

In 1970, Government considered raising the Manapouri lake by 8.2 metres to maximise the Manapouri power station's output. This was met with considerable protest by the public since raising the lake...

Tree top protestors

Tree top protestors

The Save Manapouri campaign was just one in a number of protests aimed at saving our native forests in the 1970s. Another was the Pureora Forest protest in 1978. As this photograph shows the battle...

Moho or takahe

As far back as far as 1851 it was reported that, “No traces of the Takahe had been discovered since the arrival of any of the English Colonists.” Considered extinct the Takahe was famously rediscov...

Fire prevention poster

Fire prevention poster

Bush burning was commonplace in the 1800s as settlers cleared the forest for farmland. However this practice had certainly changed by the mid-20th century. The growth of pine plantations in the cen...

Felling a kauri

Felling a kauri

This scene shows how kauri trees were once cut down. Because of the tree’s size sawyers have erected a wooden sawing platform at the base of the trunk. You can clearly see they have already begun t...

Native plants and animals

Native plants and animals

Information about the native plants and animals of New Zealand.

The Beginning of bush burn

The Beginning of bush burn

In an effort to create farmland, large tracts of our native forests were cut or burnt down. While bush burning effectively cleared the land it was a dangerous practice, and one that had a disastrou...

Karori wildlife sanctuary

Karori wildlife sanctuary

Approximately 2,700 species are threatened in New Zealand. One way to protect our native wildlife is to create sanctuaries. The first New Zealand sanctuaries were offshore islands. Over time pests ...

Kauri dieback cartoon

Kauri dieback cartoon

This cartoon shows Gerry Brownlee (2010 Energy and Resources Minister) in Waipoua Forest looking at a kauri tree full of holes. He is saying, 'Kauri dieback disease will definitely be bad for touri...

Many Answers

Many Answers has useful links to websites about our native birds.

Animals (New Zealand)

Animals (New Zealand)

New Zealand Aotearoa has many different kinds of animals. They include native animals that are indigenous to New Zealand, animals that can only be found in New Zealand (endemic), introduced animals...

Conserving native birds

New Zealand is world famous for its unique birdlife. In our resources on conserving our native birds, we look at the issues surrounding the conservation of some of our threatened bird species.

New Zealand’s unique ecology

New Zealand has a rich and unique range of plants, animals and fungi. So how have our unique ecosystems developed?

Young Ocean Explorers

Our vision is to create generational change by connecting hearts and minds with the importance of enjoying and caring for our oceans.

Computer technology measures forces behind kauri dieback

Computer technology is helping scientists to better understand the disease threatening our kauri forests.

Animal pests (New Zealand)

An animal becomes a pest if it begins to cause considerable economic or environmental damage.

A PLEA FOR THE NATIVES. (Otago Witness, 14 October 1887)

New Zealand insects

New Zealand teems with thousands of different insects.

New Zealand whales

A look at some whales found around New Zealand.

Extinct birds of New Zealand

Few New Zealanders are aware how many bird species have been lost since people first reached New Zealand less than 800 years ago.

What is this bug?

A look at New Zealand bugs.

The South Island giant moa.

Puketōtara, twice shy

Puketōtara, twice shy

Don Binney returns to his favourite painting ground of Te Henga in this oil painting on canvas created in 1976. An Australian bittern (matuku) soars above the distinctive form of Puketōtara, a land...

Swoop of the Kotare, Wainamu

Swoop of the Kotare, Wainamu

Save us a place to live

Save us a place to live

Poster for Conservation Week 1979. Features a painting by Don Binney titled "Hauturu Rata", of three New Zealand birds on a rata branch. Text "Save us a place to live".

Introduced wasps are a significant pest which harm our native birds and insects. they are also a threat to human health and recreation.

Giant centipede

The giant centipede, which can grow to 25 centimetres, is an example of gigantism – a feature of many New Zealand native species.

Operation Nest Egg

Operation Nest Egg is very successful for quickly building kiwi numbers, particularly for vulnerable kiwi populations in small sites.

Visit Zealandia

ZEALANDIA is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems.

Top 10 New Zealand sanctuaries

The top wildlife sanctuaries in New Zealand.

The whio/blue duck has less than 3000 left in the wild. They face a risk of extinction in three generations without protection.

Welcome to iNaturalist NZ, where you can record what you see in nature, meet other nature watchers, and learn about the natural world.

Meet kākāpō - NZ bird of the Year 2020

Meet kākāpō - NZ bird of the Year 2020

The kākāpō has been crowned winner of Bird of the Year 2020 by the public

Find more information about New Zealand flora and fauna on EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic and Australia New Zealand Reference Centre Plus (EBSCO). School login maybe required.

Since the discovery that a giant flightless bird, the tallest ever, had lived in isles of New Zealand, the moa has captured the people’s imagination like no other bird.

Rediscovery of rare gecko delights experts

New Zealand lizard expert Ben Barr, who spent years looking under rocks for the elusive Cupola gecko, has finally found what he was looking for.

Eels: creatures of mystery

Native species like tuna (eels) have been revered, feared, hunted and tamed. Now experts hope revulsion can give way to fascination.

Killing machines

The humble British hedgehog is causing havoc in New Zealand.

DOC Sounds of Science

DOC's Sounds of Science podcast offers a behind-scenes-look at how we care for NZ's native species and natural environment.

CSI at School: Field Guide – from Auckland Museum

This is the citizen science field guide. It is filled with information about native New Zealand species you could find in your school, local park or even backyard.

Kete Wānanga: Te Wao Nui Forest curiosity cards from Auckland Museum

A selection of downloadable classroom resource cards featuring Aotearoa New Zealand ngahere forest life including moa, kiwi, karaka, rimu and much more.

Kete Wānanga: Moana curiosity cards from Auckland Museum

A selection of downloadable classroom resource cards featuring Aotearoa New Zealand marine life including kina, pipi paua, tuatua and much more.

Robins return to Manawatū

The moving story of translocating 40 birds to their new home.

Top results for New Zealand Flora and Fauna from AnyQuestions

Forests (New Zealand)

Forests (New Zealand)

Aotearoa New Zealand's forest ecosystem supports native and introduced trees, shrubs, animals, and birds. Forests...

Junior Secondary

Captain Cook (1728 - 1779)

Captain Cook (1728 - 1779)

Captain James Cook was a British sea captain, navigator and explorer. He spent many years sailing around and mapping...

Senior Primary

Conservation (New Zealand)

Conservation (New Zealand)

Conservation is about preserving and protecting New Zealand's natural environment, wildlife and their habitats...

Junior Secondary

Islands (New Zealand)

Islands (New Zealand)

Aotearoa New Zealand is mainly known for its North and South Islands, but it is a nation surrounded by many islands....

Junior Secondary

See all 9 related entries on AnyQuestions