The Taranaki Falls Hike on Mt. Ruapehu is a great short walk. This hike is perfect if you only have a few hours at Whakapapa Village to explore the area. When I first heard about this hike I was a bit confused. I live in…
Here are 8 New Zealand waterfalls that will leave a lasting impression. This short list includes some from across the country that are all truly awe inspiring. When we first arrived in New Zealand I remember being blown away at the sheer number of rivers,…
The New Zealand mountain cedar or pahautea is a stunning native tree. Here are 5 facts about this lovely, sometimes gnarled native tree. This tree is a type of cedar and can be recognised as such by looking at the ‘leaves’, which have that distinctive…
Predator-Free New Zealand is a topic that most New Zealanders are familiar with. Here is the story of how and why we got here. To the casual visitor New Zealand is an idyllic paradise with rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, tall mountains and volcanoes. However, a…
The Paritutu rock hike may be short, but it is quite exciting and not for anyone afraid of heights. The walk up takes about 15 minutes and finishes with stunning 360 degree views. When you live in an area you become quite familiar with all…
Is that a gecko or skink? Here are 3 tips to help you tell apart New Zealand’s endemic lizards (excluding tuatara, which is another reptile). I bet that most of the time when people think of the natural world of New Zealand they picture amazing…
New Zealand’s fungi come in a dazzling array of colours and forms. Here are some of the more remarkable and colourful fungi. There is nothing I enjoy more than spending a day walking outdoors. The world above treeline always feels like a magical place to…
New Zealand is home to some incredibly long living species. Here are 6 New Zealand long living species, and a possible explanation for why they live so long. The more I learn about the marvels of the natural world of Aotearoa, the more I am…
Kiekie is one of the common plants found in native bush across New Zealand and a taonga species. Here are 5 facts about this endemic vine. The native podocarp/broadleaf forest of New Zealand appears to be a tangled mass of green, which it is. But,…
New Zealand’s weka is a curious bird that can be seen across the country. Here are 7 facts to reveal more about this native bird. The first time I saw a weka I was pretty excited. We were at some roadside attraction on the South…