These 5 New Zealand nature record holders include the tallest, largest, and longest living species. Here are just a few of the standout species that call these islands home.
I am always fascinated with watching or seeing the best. I love watching the best athletes competing in whatever sport – basketball, running, or rugby. This love of mine extends to marvelling at the glories of the natural world, such as seeing giant trees or roaring rivers. Fortunately for us here in New Zealand, our country is home to numerous spectacular species. Here are some of the wonders that you need to check out next time you head out into the bush.
5 New Zealand Nature Record Holders
The World’s Tallest Moss – Dawson Superba. I kind of think this one is funny because it may be the tallest in the world, but it is just a moss so it’s not 100 meters tall. Most moss grows as a carpet like mat and is not very tall. You don’t have to look to the treetops to see it, rather look down towards your boot tops. This moss can grow up to a towering 60cm!
Tallest Native Tree – the tallest native tree in New Zealand is the Kahikatea. Normally, a kahikatea or white pine grows up to 50 m. However, there is one particular tree that has been measured at just over 66 m in height, making it the tallest native tree!
Second Largest Tree In The World (by trunk volume) – The mighty Kauri trees are truly incredible. These may not grow as tall as the Kahikatea, but they more than make up for the slightly shorter stature with their huge girth. The largest kauri tree in New Zealand, Tane Mahuta, is said to be the second largest tree in the world by trunk volume! It is 13 m around at its base.
Longest Living Animals In New Zealand – Since New Zealand is a country of islands, the species here have evolved to possess many unique traits, such as flightlessness and long life. Two of the longest living native animals include the kakapo and the tuatara. The kakapo, a ground dwelling parrot, can live up to 70, 80, or even 90 years!
The other contender for longest living animal is the tuatara, which can live up to 100 years!
Oldest Species – The oldest species in New Zealand has already made this list, the Kauri tree. The second largest kauri in New Zealand, Te Matua Ngahere, is thought to be 2,500 years old! Tane Mahuta is estimated to be 2,000 years old, also no slouch. That is a very, very old tree, but only about half as old as the oldest tree in the world, a bristlecone pine in Nevada, USA, which is just shy of 5,000 years old.
Only Surviving Species In Order – The tuatara is a truly unique reptile that can only be found in New Zealand. It is the sole surviving member of an order of reptiles that used to be found in other parts of the world during the time of the dinosaurs. Thus, this species is now a link to the age of dinosaurs.
Just to explain how special this is, all organisms are classified in the binomial naming system that goes from Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. The Tuatara is the sole survivor of an entire order of organisms.