Little bush moa Anomalopteryx didiformis

Skull

Not all moa were giants. Little bush moa Anomalopteryx didiformis

Conservation status Extinct

Endemic | Native | Introduced Endemic DID YOU KNOW? Habitat Mostly found in the North Island Little bush moa chicks may have been eaten by Diet the introduced Their sturdy, sharp edged bill suggests that little bush moa Polynesian dog (kuri). browsed on twigs and other tough plant material.

Predators Probably Haast's eagle and Eyles harrier as well as humans

Human impact With the arrival of Māori, moa were hunted for food which probably led to their extinction. Moa Dinornithiformes spp.

Toe bones

The only wingless bird (that we know of) Moa Dinornithiformesrumnopitys spp.

Conservation status Extinct

Endemic | Native | Introduced Endemic DID YOU KNOW? According to Māori Habitat tradition, moa were Nine species of moa were widespread throughout swift runners that Aotearoa. defended themselves Diet by kicking when Twigs and leaves as well as some flowers, berries and seeds cornered.

Predators Haast's eagle and humans

Human impact With the arrival of Māori, moa were hunted for food which probably led to their extinction. Tuatara Sphenodon sp.

Skull

Tuatara have been around since before the dinosaurs. Tuatara Sphenodon sp.

Conservation status Vulnerable

Endemic | Native | Introduced DID YOU KNOW? Endemic Young tuatara have a third eye in the middle Habitat of their forehead. This is Thriving on various offshore islands in burrows where they known as a parietal eye. are protected from predators Scientists are still researching this third Diet eye and believe it is used Beetles, wētā, worms, millipedes, spiders, snails, frogs, to absorb UV light and skinks and birds eggs set daily routines.

Predators Cats, dogs, rats, stoats, possums and mice

Human impact Tuatara are threatened by humans that capture them to sell overseas. This smuggling is illegal. Kiwi Apteryx sp.

Skull and egg

Our Aotearoa New Zealand icon Kiwi skull and egg Apteryx sp. DID YOU KNOW? Conservation status Kiwi feed by tapping the Vulnerable ground with their bill. They use their nostrils at the end of Endemic | Native | Introduced their beak to detect prey Endemic before they see it. In fact, kiwi are the only bird to have Habitat nostrils at the end of their Native forests and some farmland beaks.

Diet The kiwi's egg is one of the Earthworms, beetles, cicadas, wetā and various other largest in proportion to the insects body size (up to 20% of the female's weight) of any Predators species of bird in the world Dogs, cats, ferrets and stoats and incubation is by the male only. Human impact Kiwi are thriving on predator free islands in sanctuaries, however have disappeared from many other sites because of habitat loss and predation. Karaka Corynocarpus laevigatus

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A sacred Māori plant with the power to paralyse Karaka Corynocarpus laevigatus

Conservation status Not Threatened DID YOU KNOW? Karaka is one of the Māori Endemic | Native | Introduced Endemic words for orange, referencing the large orange fruit. Its Habitat flesh is strong smelling and Coastal areas all around New Zealand the kernel is highly poisonous to humans without proper Human impact treatment. These kernels of fruit were an important food source for Māori but had to be boiled, washed and steamed in water for several days. Once prepared, the kernels could be stored for use over winter or ground up into a type of flour for bread. Plants were planted outside of their natural habitat as people migrated around Aotearoa. Rewarewa Knightia excelsa

Seed pods

A glow-in-the-dark honeysuckle Rewarewa DID YOU KNOW? Knightia excelsa Rewarewa is one of the two species from Proteaceae, macademia nut family, in Conservation status New Zealand. Scientists Not Threatened believe that this family is a representative from the Endemic | Native | Introduced Endemic super-continent Gondwanaland. While we Habitat have only two species in Grows in lowland forests on the North Island New Zealand , most members of the family are Human impact found in the Africa, Australia Noted for its timber and used often in interior design, and South America, other rewarewa is popular for inlay, strips and other parts of world which formed ornamental woodwork such as cabinetry. It also has parts of the super-continent. good acoustic qualities, making it suitable for making musical instruments and is often used for tool handles. Rimu Dacrydium cupessinum

Leaves

The million year old Jurassic giant Rimu Dacrydium cupessinum DID YOU KNOW? When burned, rimu makes a Conservation status great firewood. It gives off a Not Threatened peculiar aroma with very little smoke, and was said to Endemic | Native | Introduced drive away spirits. Endemic Kākāpō on islands in Habitat southern New Zealand only Found in forests throughout New Zealand breed during years when the rimu tree fruits in mass Human impact (every few years). Rimu wood was used by early Māori for weapons, tools and large waka. Bracket fungus Polypore sp.

Whole specimen

Actually a fungus, not a plant Bracket fungus Polypore sp.

Distribution Bracket fungi are found worldwide, but New DID YOU KNOW? Zealand has a number of endemic species. Bracket fungi can live for many years, enlarging by Habitat producing a new layer of Found on standing and fallen logs in all forest pores on the under-surface. types If the bracket is split these layers can be seen easily. Human impact Early Māori used fungus for colours of tattoos. Pouākai | Haast eagle Aquila moorei

Talon

The largest eagle species (that we know of) Pouākai | Haast eagle Aquila moorei

Conservation Status Extinct

Endemic | Native | Introduced DID YOU KNOW? Endemic Haast eagle may also have been hunted by Habitat humans because its South and Stewart Islands bones, some of which had been worked into Diet tools, have been found in Mainly moa and other birds archaeological sites.

Predators Possibly humans

Human Impact Overhunting of its moa prey by humans 500-600 years ago was probably the main cause of extinction. Ruru | Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae

Wing and talon

The elusive night hunter - easy to hear, but hard to see Ruru | Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae

Conservation Status Not threatened

Endemic | Native | Introduced Native DID YOU KNOW? Habitat On the top edge of their Mostly found in wooded areas throughout New Zealand wings, ruru have a soft fringe of feathers which Diet silences their sound in Small animals, including insects, small birds, rats and mice order to catch prey undetected. Predators Cats, possums and stoats

When nesting on the ground, ruru eggs and chicks can be susceptible to predation by pigs and hedgehogs.

Habitat Destruction Ruru habitat is unknowingly destroyed when land is cleared for housing, or large trees are removed to reduce shade or improve a view. Kererū| Wood pigeon Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Wing and talon

The clumsy birds of the forest Kererū | Wood pigeon Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Conservation Status Not threatened

Endemic | Native | Introduced Endemic DID YOU KNOW? Known as the Habitat gardeners of the sky, Mostly found in wooded areas throughout New Zealand they spread precious seeds of forest giants Diet such as tawa, miro and Buds, leaves, flowers and fruit from a wide vareity of hinau. species, both native and exotic

Predators Cats, possums, stoats and rats, especially when nesting

Human Impact Kererū are considered taonga to Māori. Traditionally they were used for both their meat and feathers. Pūriri moth Aenetus virescens

Whole dried specimen

New Zealand's largest moth Pūriri moth Aenetus virescens

Conservation Status Not threatened DID YOU KNOW? Endemic | Native | Introduced The pūriri moth caterpillar Endemic spends much of its life living inside the trunk of a tree. It Habitat burrows deep into the trunk Forested areas throughout New Zealand where it feeds on the stem tissue and stays there until it Diet reaches about 10cm long. This The adult moth does not have any mouth parts and therefore can take up to 6 years. cannot eat and dies after about two days. As a caterpillar it eats decaying wood and bracket fungi It uses its own saliva to create a door to its burrow in a log. Predators Ruru, native bats, possums, cats and kākā

Human Impact In the past Māori sometimes ate the caterpillar or used it as eel bait. Awheto | Vegetable Caterpillar Cordyceps robertsii

Caterpillar that has been absorbed by a fungus and mummified

A mummified caterpillar Awheto | Vegetable Caterpillar Cordyceps robertsii

Conservation Status DID YOU KNOW? Not threatened Awheto have been used by Māori as ink for Endemic | Native | Introduced traditional tā moko Native tattoos. The charred It was first described in 1836. caterpillars were mixed with fat to make a rich Habitat dark ink. Awheto are Forest floor throughout New Zealand also edible and considered a delicacy. Human Impact Vegetable caterpillars are becoming increasingly confined to remote undisturbed forest. Hiore kakati | Earwig Dermaptera sp.

Whole dried specimen

Probably won't crawl into your ears Hiore kakati | Earwig Dermaptera sp. DID YOU KNOW? Endemic | Native | Introduced The name earwig is Native thought to come from an old belief that Habitat earwigs wiggled into Damp places such as under rocks, bark, leaves or inside fruit or people's ears and fed on flowers brains. This myth has been debunked. Predators Ruru, native bats, possums, cats and kākā

Human Impact In the past Māori sometimes ate the caterpillar or used it as eel bait. Wāpi | Wasp Vespula sp.

Whole dried specimen

Introduced wasps are one of New Zealand's most serious threat to native insects. Wāpi | Wasp Vespula sp.

Conservation Status DID YOU KNOW? Not Threatened New Zealand has several kinds of solitary Endemic | Native | Introduced native wasps which Introduced have evolved here and have never become a Habitat nuisance. Throughout rural and urban New Zealand

Human Impact Humans have introduced five species of wasps to New Zealand that harm native birds, insects and are a threat to human health. Tātaka |Longhornbeetle Cerambycidae sp. Whole driedspecimen Longhorn beetlescan defendthemselvesbybiting.

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Tātaka | Longhorn beetle Cerambycidae sp. DID YOU KNOW? Conservation Status Beetles can play a vital Not Threatened role in helping forest litter to decompose, Endemic | Native | Introduced and as predators of Native pest species. They can be useful indicators of Habitat Throughout New Zealand from the coast to the mountains forest health.

Human Impact European settlers brought predatory species such as rats, mice and hedgehogs, which found beetles to be easy prey. There areover29,000 speciesofbeetleknownworldwideand about430inNewZealand. Pāpapa |Groundbeetl W C hole specimen arabidae sp.

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Pāpapa | Ground beetle Cerambycidae sp. DID YOU KNOW? Conservation Status Ground beetles with Not Threatened unpleasant smells are known in Māori as Endemic | Native | Introduced kurikuri, referring to Native this smell as being dog-like. Habitat Throughout New Zealand from the coast to the mountains

Human Impact European settlers brought predatory species such as rats, mice and hedgehogs, which found beetles to be easy prey. A Piper excelsum Leaves K plant withthepower toheal awakawa

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Kawakawa Piper excelsum

Conservation status Not Threatened DID YOU KNOW? Endemic | Native | Introduced Māori wear wreaths of Endemic kawakawa around their head as a sign of mourning Habitat Mostly found in forests and coastal areas

Human impact The fruit, bark and leaves of the kawakawa all have medicinal properties. It is one of the most important healing herbs used by Māori and still widely used today. Artwork leftbehindby afemalecicada Amphipsalta spp. Kihikihi wawā| Egg scars Cicada scars

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Kihikihi wawā | Cicada scars Amphipsalta spp. DID YOU KNOW? Twigs and branches can be weakened and break Endemic | Native | Introduced in high winds when Endemic cicadas make these cuts. Also, open cuts can Description provide entry for wood Cicadas lay their eggs in thin soft branches. As the female pierces the plant tissue with her ovipositor, a herringbone boring insects. pattern is created. QUESTION Habitat What other animals or Cicadas typically live in forests and areas with open bush. insects do you know of They are mostly commonly seen in summer. that create patterns in nature? Harore | Mushroom Cortinarius sp.

Whole specimen

Don't touch them! Harore | Mushroom Cortinarius sp.

Endemic | Native | Introduced DID YOU KNOW? Native A common rule when it comes to mushrooms Habitat Mostly New Zealand fungi live in forests. Many help to rot growing in the wild is fallen trees, but some attack living trees. that none should be eaten because it could be poisonous. Harore | Mushroom Hypholoma brunneum

Whole specimen

Don't touch them! Harore | Mushroom Hypholoma brunneum

Endemic | Native | Introduced Native DID YOU KNOW? A common rule when it Habitat comes to mushrooms Mostly New Zealand fungi live in forests. Many help to rot growing in the wild is fallen trees, but some attack living trees. that none should be eaten because it could be poisonous. Can livemore than600years old Kahikatea Leaves Dacrycarpus dacrydioides

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Kahikatea Dacrycarpus dacrydioides

Conservation status Least concern

Endemic | Native | Introduced DID YOU KNOW? Endemic Kahikatea are the tallest native tree in Aotearoa. Habitat They can grow up to North Island and coastal South Island 80m tall. What can you Human Impact think of that is also 80m Humans build many things out of kahikatea, from bridges tall? to butter containers! Unfortunately, scientists estimate 98% of natural kahikatea forest has been lost. The treeofmedicine andmusic. Mataī Leaves Prumnopitys taxifolia

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Mataī Prumnopitys taxifolia

DID YOU KNOW? Conservation status Not Threatened Māori used the sap obtained from mataī tree as an Endemic | Native | Introduced antiseptic. The durable red- Endemic brown wood was used in various handicrafts and was Habitat important material for Found in lowland forests throughout New Zealand building waka. It was also the preferred wood of Human impact choice for making Māori Due to its hardness, matai wood was heavily sought musical instruments. after by early settlers till mid 1800s for building bridges, house siding and floorboards. Now, mataī 's natural population is greatly reduced due to the past logging practices. These wētāwerefound inthestomachofaruru Tree wētā Various pieces Hemideina thoracica .

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Tree wētā Hemideina thoracica

Conservation Status Not threatened

Endemic | Native | Introduced Endemic DID YOU KNOW? The ear of the wētā is found Habitat just under their knee. As the name suggests, they live in trees inside a burrow known as a gallery and can be found in forested areas and suburban gardens including woodpiles.

Diet Mostly leaves, lichen, seeds, fruit and flowers

Predators Birds, mice, rats and hedgehogs

Human Impact Because tree wētā are able to survive in suburban areas and backyards, some people will build a wētā hotel out of old logs which can be used as a habitat.