Animals of New Zealand
Native species. Also, all bugs, native and introduced, since it’s sometimes hard to tell them apart.
For all other introduced species, see Farm animals and pets of New Zealand.
Kea
The world’s only alpine parrot.
Arthur’s Pass, Canterbury, South Island
Kea over Mt Lyndon, near Castle Hill, Canterbury. Left: Red Hill. Right: Craigieburn Range.
When I started the video, I hadn’t spotted the kea yet! I was just aiming in what sounded like the right direction. This may be an established practice in animal videography.
Weka - a flightless rail
Weka pay little attention to you if you stand still for a minute. Outside of zoos, I have only seen them in the Tasman District.
Lake Peel Track, Mt Peel, Kahurangi National Park
Sylvester Lakes Track, Iron Hill, Kahurangi National Park
Sylvester Lakes Track
Sylvester Lakes Track
Kererū - the New Zealand pigeon
The first two photos are from my Kakepuku Mountain hike near Te Awamutu, Waikato, North Island. The second four are from my Stony Bay Peak - Flag Peak hike at Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, South Island.
Ōpuke Track, Mt Hutt Forest, Canterbury.
Other birds
New Zealand has been called “the land of the birds that walk” (more info here), but so far, outside of zoos, I’ve mostly seen the flying ones. The weka above were all from the same trip.
Tuis sound like R2-D2, although unfortunately this one was silent as I recorded video.
Kāhu (swamp harrier) takes flight from its highway carrion. It didn’t mind my car parked 5m away, because I had driven toward it so slowly. But another car was fast approaching.
Welcome swallows seeking insects at the Riuwaka Resurgence, Tasman.
Bugs
Fur seals
New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lions
