August Tuatara Although tuatara superficially look like lizards they are in fact the last survivors of an ancient group of reptiles called Sphenodontia. ... All members of Sphenodontia except tuatara became extinct at a similar time to the dinosaurs - about 66 million years ago. ...
March Toutouwai | North Island robin were transferred into Zealandia in 2001 after being absent from the lower half of the North Island since the early 1900s. Intensive research at Zealandia has shown they can count, an unusual skill believed to be related to their caching of food.
April Titipounamu | riflemen are New Zealand's smallest bird, at just 6 grams and virtually tailless. After translocation and release inside Zealandia’s mammalian predator-proof fence in 2019, they have spread their (very small) wings and are starting to be seen more and more often.
May Once thought of as similar to (or part of) the Plants group, fungi are now classified as their own separate “Kingdom” within the taxonomy of life. Fungi perform an essential role in the decomposition of organic matter and are fundamental to nutrient cycling and exchange in the environment.
June Wētāpunga | Cook Strait Giant Wētā Cook Strait Giant Wētā were successfully reintroduced into Zealandia in February 2007, having been extinct on the mainland for over 100 years. ...
July: Pairs of South Island takahē have been introduced into Zealandia in 2011, 2017, 2023 and 2026. Three of these pairs have been of “elderly”, retiring birds aged at least 12. This photo, however, is of Bendigo, one of a much younger pair who arrived with partner Waitaa in 2023. ...
One of the volunteer roles I have been doing at Zealandia since the arrival of Bendigo and Waitaa has been to feed them once a fortnight. ... (longer post on FB and Insta) ... 1/3
February From a distance tūī often appear mostly black apart from that distinctive white “poi” of feathers under its chin, but when the sunlight hits them their iridescent blues and greens are stunning. This makes colour variations, like this leucistic tūī stand out even more.
pīpīwharauroa | shining cuckoo at Zealandia (being fed by riroriro | grey warbler foster parent) #bestof2025
