Kiwi
The kiwi is the nation’s sweetheart. However, you won’t just find them wandering the streets and stealing your fries. These elusive nocturnal birds mostly live in forested areas and on some of the less populated, smaller islands around New Zealand.
Hector’s Dolphins
Hector’s dolphins are the world’s smallest dolphin species. You can mostly spot them riding the waves in the South Island. More famously, there are many pods in the Akaroa Harbour near Christchurch.
Hihi (Or Stitchbird)
One of the rarest birds in New Zealand, the hihi now extinct from mainland New Zealand. They are only naturally found on Little Barrier Island off the coast of Auckland, but have been successfully reintroduced to some of the North Island’s off-shore islands. A fun fact about the hihi is that it’s the only bird in the world known to sometimes mate face to face!
Kea
Kea are the only alpine parrot in the world and are most commonly found in the Arthur’s Pass National Park and on the road to Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park. Although, there’s always the possibility of seeing them in most alpine environments in the South Island.
Haast's Eagle
This giant endemic eagle was the largest predator among New Zealand's prehistoric fauna. It was the largest, heaviest eagle species yet described, weighing up to 17.8 kg (39 lb) and had a wingspan up to 3 m (9.8 ft). Near-complete skeleton finds show that it had the body and wings of a giant eagle, legs and bill larger and stronger than the largest living vulture species, and feet and claws as big as a modern day tiger's. These characteristics made it the top predator in prehistoric South Island terrestrial ecosystems. Like the iconic moa, Haast's eagle evolved through - and survived - multiple glacial periods, when larger body size would have increased survival chances.
Tuatara
Tuataras are the only surviving reptile species from the dinosaur era, which gives them the nickname “the living dinosaur”. Another fun fact about the tuatara, they have a third eye on the top of their heads.
Yellow-Eyed Penguins
Yellow-eyed penguins are found around the south east of New Zealand, Banks Peninsula and Stewart Island. They are one of six different species of penguins found in New Zealand and it’s surrounding islands.
Chevron Skink
These lizards are only found on the Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island. These secretive lizards are New Zealand’s longest lizards and have only had around 500 recorded sightings.
New Zealand Fur Seal
Once hunted for their meat, New Zealand fur seals are now a protected species in New Zealand. They are abundant on the South Island coastlines, particularly around Kaikoura, the Catlins and Fiordland National Park. However, they are even known to visit as far north as the Bay of Islands in winter. Although fur seals tend to stick to the coast, they have been known to wander into people’s backyards.
Wood Pigeon (Or Kereru)
The New Zealand wood pigeon, or kereru, is a native pigeon to New Zealand. They are larger than your average street pigeon with magnificent green plumage. However, they are clumsy fliers so can easily be heard landing on branches in the forest canopy. Keep an eye out for them in any native forest around New Zealand.
The Hooker's Sea Lion
One of the most endangered sea lion species in the world, the Hooker’s Sea Lion or New Zealand sea lion can be found chilling on the shores of the Otago Peninsula near Dunedinand in the Catlins.
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