The New Zealand Robin is a delightful endemic bird to see when tramping. Here are 8 facts to help you appreciate this special bird. I used to live in the Rocky Mountains of the USA and we would often see Robins flying about. They were…
Author: nzmarkdpcv
The Milford Track is one of the Great Walks in New Zealand and one of the best walks or hiking trails in the world. Here are some tips and answers to your questions to help you plan your walk on the Milford Track. Hiking the…
Matiu/Somes is a predator free island located in the Wellington Harbor of New Zealand. My family had fun spending one wildlife filled night on the island. New Zealand is home to some very unique wildlife. Some of the most well known are the Kiwis, but…
The Routeburn Track is a truly spectacular alpine hike on the South Island of New Zealand. These tips and FAQ will help you plan your hike on this track. One of the first things that I like to do when I’m thinking about doing a…
Native, endemic, and introduced are terms that describe a plant or animal. Here is a quick overview on what those terms mean and examples of each in New Zealand. There are thousands of species of plants and animals found throughout the world. Some of them…
Lake Waikareiti near New Zealand’s Lake Waikaremoana is a gem. Here is some info about our day hike and try fishing this lake. New Zealand is such a cool country to explore. I feel so fortunate that we’ve lived here for the past few years.…
The Kereru, or New Zealand Native Pigeon is a beautiful, fat, clumsy bird that I love. Here are 9 facts about this common New Zealand bird. My son and I recently took part in the Great Kereru Count in New Zealand. This was a week…
Bats are the only land mammals that lived in New Zealand for millions of years. The two endemic bats are the Long-tailed bat and Lesser Short-tailed bat. Yes, as crazy as it seems it’s true that New Zealand had no other mammals. The land that…
The Fantail is one of the most common New Zealand birds that you will see. Here are 8 facts about this friendly, curious native New Zealand bird. It seems like just about anytime I go for a walk in a park or forest in New…
The Pohutukawa is an absolutely stunning tree that grows only in New Zealand. Here are 6 facts about this tree that is called the NZ Christmas Tree. When I first moved to New Zealand several years ago I was quickly blown away by the amazing…