Native animals - all regions
This atlas provides species descriptions, habitat information, images and distribution maps. The observations cover over 100 species.
Read how in 1997, the Department of Conservation finalised and published the second ‘Recovery Plan for Blue Duck’.
The whio/blue duck is endemic to New Zealand. As the only member of its genus, the whio has a number of unique anatomical and behavioural features.
In Tongariro, fantail/pīwakawaka are monitored to test the health of the forest, and to show whether pest control has worked in this area.
Did you know earthworms are the preferred diet of Powelliphanta snails? Learn more facts about these giant snails.
Did you know that whio/blue duck are one of only three species of waterfowl in the world that live on fast flowing rivers year round? Learn more about this threatened species.
Did you know the lesser short-tailed bat is the only member of its family, Mystacinidae, known to still survive? Learn more about New Zealand's short-tailed bats in this section.
Advice for attracting birds to your garden if you are designing a new garden or developing an existing one.
The North Island robin, also known as toutouwai, is a friendly and trusting bird and is found in both native and exotic forests.
Tongariro Forest is a 20,000ha forest in the central North Island bordered by three main rivers (Whakapapa, Whanganui and Mangatepopo), all of which hold high numbers of whio. Tongariro Forest is one of eight security sites identified in the national whio recovery plan (2007) as a priority for whio management.
Find out about the Tongariro Forest Kiwi Protection project, which was initiated in 1994 to address the problem of kiwi decline in Tongariro Forest.
Conservation - all regions