New Zealand > NZ Natural History

This pocket checklist includes all the species of birds, frogs, reptiles, mammals and butterflies that currently have wild populations in New Zealand, plus vagrant species that have been reliably recorded here during the last 25 years. It will enable birdwatchers and naturalists to keep records of the species they see during field excursions in New Zealand. First published April 2007.

ENVIRONMENT Category Winner Adrift in the South Pacific Ocean, separated from the rest of the world by vast distances and blessed with some of the most varied and spectacular natural landscapes on Earth, New Zealand is rather special. Generations of geoscientists have developed an increasing understanding of what makes New Zealand geologically unique and why. Highlights of this research, including many discoveries of global significance, are presented in this book. A Continent on the Move explains what makes New Zealand tick geolog... read more

Ferns occur in great abundance in New Zealand – there are nearly 200 native species alone occurring everywhere from the coast through to the country’s alpine regions. Then there are the fern allies – including clubmosses and forkferns that have an even longer fossil history than ferns. However, most of the ferns and fern allies described in A Photographic Guide to Ferns of New Zealand are the commoner species that are more likely to be seen when journeying around the New Zealand countryside. Paperback (Mini)

This new addition to New Holland's very popular pocket Photographic Guide series introduces readers to New Zealand's mushrooms and fungi, which number up to some 19,000 species and include extraordinarily diverse types, from the familiar 'mushroom' to brackets, coral and cup fungi and slime moulds. Over a hundred species are presented here, with spectacular close-up colour photographs accompanying each entry. The ideal size for slipping into a backpack when walking through bush and forest, it will appeal to walkers, nature lovers, ... read more

Everyone has heard of the tuatara, New Zealand's unique 'living dinosaur'; but equally fascinating, if less well known, are the country's other reptiles. There are more than 65 species of lizards (including skinks and geckos), frogs and other reptiles and amphibians native to New Zealand, and scientists such as author Tony Jewell are still discovering new species and subspecies today. In this new addition to a popular series, Tony covers all the known species from Northland to the far south; his text is backed up by outstanding pho... read more

The twelfth book in the popular New Holland series examines New Zealand's fascinating geology. Almost every kind of rock found on Earth can be seen in New Zealand, and most of the common minerals too. This handy reference guide will help you recognise and make sense of common (and some rare) rocks and minerals found on beaches and hillsides, in streams and elsewhere around the country. The introduction provides an overview of rocks and minerals, and contains diagrams and illustrations pointing out important details to be observe... read more

With colour photographs illustrating 117 species this compact guide is the ideal pocket-size travelling companion. Contains fact-filled descriptions highlighting key identification features of fish species found in New Zealand waters. Compact and easy to use.

A companion volume to "The Small Edible Garden". Knowing what to do when is crucial for gardeners wanting healthy home produce. Whether it is sowing, planting, feeding, or pruning, harvesting or storing, the keys to successful vegetable and fruit growing are to carry out tasks correctly and at the wrong time. Creating an edible garden doesn't take a lot of money and effort. Once you have space for growing, you can get started with some basic tools and seedlings or seeds. You can grow edibles in an extensive raised garden, or simply... read more

Have you ever wondered why New Zealand's plants and animals are so different from those in other countries? Why the kakapo is the only parrot in the world that cannot fly, or why the kiwi lives here and nowhere else? New Zealand is an extraordinary place, unique on Earth, and the remarkable story of how and why life evolved here is the subject of Ghosts of Gondwana. The science that traces the history of life on Earth is called historical biogeography and it is the theme of this book. Biogeography is a wide-ranging study, involving... read more

New Zealand boasts beautiful and unique coastlines, lakes and rivers, brimming with more than 1100 different fish species. In Know Your New Zealand Fishes, Jenny and Tony Enderby identify more than 80 of the country's best-known or most significant species that are commonly seen as readers dive, fish, snorkel and swim in the waters. With an introduction that includes useful information on distribution, appearance, behaviour, diet and breeding habits, this easy-to-use guide is written in simple language that will enable the laypers... read more

New Zealand has a unique and attractive native plant life that is of interest to everyone from gardeners and trampers to students of botany and ecology. Lawrie Metcalf introduces a selection of the most interesting, iconic and important New Zealand plants, spanning latitudes from subtropical to temperate, and altitudes from sea level to alpine mountaintop, describing their natural history and distinguishing features. Written with the novice in mind, the text is light and easy in tone, with simple language, and is accompanied by f... read more

Politicians, artists, academics, farmers, business people - growing numbers of New Zealanders are committed to a passionate love affair with native plants. This collection of 44 personal narratives is sumptuously illustrated by photographs by John Maillard, who travelled from Invercargill to Auckland to bring to life contributors' garden stories. Contributors include Peri Drysdale, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Tim Shadbolt, Steven Tindall, and a host of conservationists and gardeners esteemed in their locales. First published August 2008.

Fully updated and revised text by marine scientist Larry Paul, Marine Fishes 1 incorporates the latest fisheries research. Illustrated with attractive, accurate paintings by artist Eric Heath. Many of the original illustrations have been corrected or completely re-drawn. The MNS Marine Fishes titles have always been popular with fishermen, as they are a handy size for a tackle box!

A handy guide to the identification of New Zealand insects. Condensed from Andrew Crowe's popular bestseller Which New Zealand Insect?, this little book has been designed to fit into a pocket, day pack or bag. Full of essential information for quick, accurate identification of insects and packed with colour photography, this new mini guide is the perfect outdoor companion!

Reissue of this popular title in a new format - tear-proof chart in a folder. Information on the identification of New Zealand native ferns.

Small format. A Handy guide to the identification of New Zealand native trees. Condensed from Andrew Crowe's popular Which native tree? These little books have been designed to fit into a pocket, day pack or bag. Full of essential information for quick identification of native trees, these new mini guides are appealing and easy to use.

Publication delated, now due January 2010. A handy guide to the identification of New Zealand seashells. Condensed from Andrew Crowe's popular bestseller Which Seashell? This little book has been designed to fit into a pocket, day pack or bag. Full of essential information for quick accurate identification of seashells and packed with colour photography, this new mini guide is your perfect summer beach companion!

A handy guide to the identification of New Zealand Spiders. Condensed from Andrew Crowe's popular bestseller Which New Zealand Spider?, this little book has been designed to fit into a pocket, day pack or bag. Full of essential information for quick accurate identification of spiders, this new mini guide is appealing and easy to use.

Small format. A handy guide to the identification of New Zealand's land birds. Condensed from Andrew Crowe's popular Which New Zealand Bird? These little books have been designed to fit into a pocket, day pack or bag. Full of essential information for quick identification of New Zealand land birds, these new mini guides are appealing and easy to use.

New Zealand is the most isolated landmass of its size and few types of amphibians reached its shores. The only groups occurring naturally in New Zealand are frogs, tuataras, two families of lizards (geckos and skinks), sea-snakes and marine turtles. The tuataras and native frogs are archaic animals of exceptional scientific interest. This guide helps the reader - by means of photographs, identification keys and descriptive text - to identify the 59 living species of frogs and reptiles that occur wild in New Zealand.