|
New Zealand is situated in the
South Pacific ocean, between latitude 34'S and 47'S. The country
runs roughly north-south with mountain ranges down much of its
length. Its two main islands (North and South) cover 266,200 sq
km (103,735 sq miles), about the size of Japan or California and
slightly larger than Great Britain.
New Zealand's separation from
other land masses about 100 million years ago allowed many
ancient plants and animals to survive and evolve in isolation.
Complementing our unique
flora and
fauna is a landscape that contains an unrivalled variety of
landforms. In a couple of days drive it is possible to see
everything from mountain ranges to sandy beaches, lush
rainforests, glaciers and fiords and
active volcanoes.
In spite of around 1000 years of
native bush clearance by humans, about a quarter of the country
still remains forested - mostly in high country areas. Most of
these remaining areas are protected from exploitation in
national and forest parks, where they can be enjoyed by all.
The characteristic New Zealand
forest is a temperate, evergreen rain forest with giant tree
ferns, vines and epiphytes - looking a bit like the popular
image of a jungle. The giant kauri, among the largest trees in
the world, is now restricted to relatively small forest pockets
in Northland and on the Coromandel Peninsula.
New Zealand is a land of unique
birds. The best known is the flightless kiwi, New Zealand's
unofficial national symbol. Also flightless are the weka and the
endangered kakapo, the world's largest parrot which can just
scramble up into shrubs and small trees.
Another unique bird, one capable
of flight, is the inquisitive kea (native alpine parrot), which
is renowned for its fearlessness of humans and cheeky
personality.
What makes New Zealand's natural
heritage so special?
Underlying New Zealand's physical
attractions - its dramatic mountains, unpolluted beaches and
green countryside - is an epic survival story of unique plants
and animals. Cast adrift from the ancient supercontinent of
Gondwanaland, these ancient species evolved in isolation and
struggled to survive in what renowned naturalist David Bellamy
has called ‘Moa's Ark’ (named after New Zealand's native, but
now extinct, giant flightless bird, the moa).
After only 1000 years of human
settlement New Zealand has lost many native species. But
impressive gains have been made in recent times to protect and
enhance what is left. These include removing introduced pests
from island wildlife sanctuaries, the establishment of 13
national parks, three maritime parks, two world heritage areas,
hundreds of nature reserves and ecological areas, a network of
marine reserves and wetlands, and protection for special rivers
and lakes. In total, around 30 percent of New Zealand's land
area is protected conservation land.
In addition, research and
management programmes have been introduced to aid the recovery
of rare and endangered species like kakapo, kokako, kiwi and
tuatara. You can learn more about these programmes on the
Department of Conservation website.
New Zealand welcomes everyone to
experience and discover its unique and precious natural
heritage. We ask only that you make as little impact as
possible, so future generations may also enjoy it as you do. |
