Species

Albatrosses are the world's largest flying seabirds. They spend at least 85% of their lives at sea returning to land (usually remote islands) to breed and raise their young.

The endangered matuku-hūrepo inhabits wetlands throughout New Zealand. DOC is focusing on developing methods for surveying bittern systematically and for restoring wetlands.

The black mudfish can be found in Waikato, Auckland and Northland. It is unique to New Zealand and found nowhere else in the world.

The black petrel/tākoketai is a medium-sized seabird endemic to New Zealand. It can dive to depths of 34 metres and spends its winters off South America.

Find out about the bottlenose dolphins and the impact humans are having on this species.

These secretive wetland birds have disappeared from large areas of New Zealand, and populations continue to decline.

Hector’s dolphins are one of the world’s smallest dolphins. They are mostly found around the coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Hihi/stitchbird is a medium-sized forest species that is one of New Zealand’s rarest birds.

The nationally vulnerable Hutton's shearwater is the only seabird globally to breed in a sub-alpine environment.

The kākāpō is a nocturnal, flightless parrot. And its strangeness doesn't end there. It's critically endangered and one of New Zealand’s unique treasures.

The shell banks of Pūkorokoro, New Zealand, attract thousands of migratory birds each year and make for fantastic bird viewing.

Kekeno are the most common seals in New Zealand and their population is growing.

The oceanic manta ray is the only manta ray recorded from New Zealand. It is common off the northeast coast of North Island from spring to early autumn.

Corals are actually invertebrate animals and most are protected.

Skinks are more slender than geckos, with narrow heads and small eyes, a narrow neck which is nearly as wide as the head, and smooth, shiny scales on the surface of the skin.

The flightless takahē is a unique bird, a conservation icon and a survivor.

Tara iti/New Zealand fairy tern is the rarest breeding bird in Aotearoa.