An introduction to the world of New Zealand birds, animals, insects, fish, plants and fungi. Includes nearly 400 species, accompanied by lifelike illustrations. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Foreword by Rt. Hon, Helen Clark -- Don Menton -- a tribute -- Acknowledgments -- Author's introduction -- Map of New Zealand and its offshore islands -- Aotearoa New Zealand -- an introduction -- Map of New Zealand -- Conservation and alien species -- Identification notes -- Abbreviations -- Bird typography -- Seabirds -- Waterside and wetland birds -- Landbirds -- Extinct bird species -- Notes for the visitor -- National parks and protected areas -- Birding tour operators -- Useful environmental and conservation organisations.

A large format boardbook of animals from all over the world, illustrated with charm and humour. Each spread in this big book focuses on a continent and features animals unique to that part of the world. A wonderful look at commonand uncommonanimals from around the world.

Touching on indigenous Maori relationships with the now-extinct, flightless moa; the attitudes of Pakeha, or European, settlers toward sheep; the iconography of whales and dolphins; the problems of pest-control; and the pleasures of pet-keeping, this modern-day bestiary is a fascinating study of human–animal relations. In the book’s four parts, the authors unravel the contradictory ways New Zealanders nurture and eradicate, glorify and demonize, cherish and devour, and describe and imagine animals. The study brings together insights from New Zealand’s arts and literature, popular culture, historiography, media, and everyday life to describe and analyze their interactions with nga kararehe and nga manu, the beasts and birds of the land. In doing so, it illuminates fundamental aspects of New Zealand society: how New Zealanders understand their own identities and those of others; how they regard, inhabit and make use of the natural world; and how they think about what they buy, eat, wear, watch, and read. Rich, multifaceted, and engaging, A New Zealand Book of Beasts satisfyingly explores how culture both shapes and is shaped by the “beasts” of Aotearoa.

A fully illustrated photographic field guide to New Zealand wildlife. New Zealand is a popular tourist destination with a wide range of dramatic scenery and a long list of endemic species. Although the country's wildlife has suffered as a result of unwelcome introductions, most species have managed to survive thanks to a number of dedicated and inspired conservationists. This glorious photographic field guide illustrates most of the vertebrate species to be found there, as well as a large number of typical invertebrates and flora. The photographs are accompanied by a succinct text, and this portable guide will be invaluable to all visitors to the country with an interest in natural history.

'You can put your hand on this book and swear by it, because it's the bible. Every bird of town, bush, swamp, island, beach, river and the sea is here - accurately, intricately, and beautifully observed.

First published in 2000, the Collins Field Guide to New Zealand Wildflife quickly became a classic of its kind. Familiar to both national and international travellers keen to identify the birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, freshwater fish and invertebrates commonly encountered in this country, its combination of authoritative yet clear and precise textual descriptions and stunning photographs proved an instant winner. Now, more than 10 years on, this classic field guide has been updated and extended to make it even more useful to travellers with an interest in natural history and ecology. Retaining its useful glovebox-friendly format, the significantly expanded text will also include the latest research findings and changes in classification and nomenclature that have occurred in the past 10 years, along with new photographs where appropriate. Including both native and introduced species, each entry succinctly describes both habits and habitats, distribution, classification, breeding patterns, food and recognition tips to assist amateur identification.