WEKA

Russell Peninsula, North Island

A charismatic bird that is attracted to any food items carried by humans.

NORTH ISLAND KOKAKO

Te Urewera National Park, North Island

Said to evoke the spirit of New Zealand’s forests more than any other bird, this kokako is nonetheless rare because of predation by non-native mammals.

SPERM WHALE

Kaikoura, South Island

Though not endemic, sperm whales are still a sought-after ‘tick’ in Kaikoura, where a host of other marine mammals can be seen.

HECTORS DOLPHIN

Akaroa, South Island

Reaching no more than 1.5m in length and with a dorsal fin shaped like Mickey Mouse’s ear, this species is only found in New Zealand waters.

SOUTHERN BROWN KIWI

Stewart Island, off South Island

Kiwis flourish here thanks to an absence of stoats and other non-native carnivores. The island is home to some 20,000, and – unlike in much of the rest of New Zealand – they can be active by day as well as by night.

KEA

Arthur’s Pass National Park, South Island

Described as the world’s cheekiest bird, the kea is also the world’s only alpine parrot, famous for chewing rubber on cars.