New Zealand's national symbol, the kiwi is unique to Aotearoa.
According to Maori legend, Tane Mahuta, guardian of the forest, gave kiwi the task of keeping the forest floor clean. Kiwi, as one of the earliest conservationists, continues to fulfil this task today.
This shellfish is a species of abalone (Haliotis iris). Found only in the seas around New Zealand, this marine mollusc eats seaweed and clings to rocks at depths of 1-10 meters, along the shoreline. Paua shell is the most colourful of all the abalone.
This attractive high-country bird had its habitat threatened by imported red deer which competed wth them for food. It is now on the endangered species list and is being settled on predator free off-shore islands as part of a recovery programme.