It is quite surprising that New Zealand's only native land mammals are bats. Of the three species of bat only two now remain: the New Zealand long-tailed bat and the lesser short-tailed bat. Given this unique situation, birds, lizards and insects filled all the niches usually occupied by mammals elsewhere.

With no native land predators, such as snakes or foxes, the many species of birds, including the flightless kiwi, takahe and kakapo, thrived. However, the introduction of animals, which humans brought with them (rats, cats, stoats, and Australian possums to name a few), caused some species of flightless birds to become extinct while others are still listed as endangered.

The giant moa, one of the eleven species of moa, was New Zealand's largest bird growing over 3 metres (10ft) tall and weighing up to 250kg (550lb). Unfortunately, all moa are now extinct.
The kiwi, New Zealand's national symbol, is a nocturnal flightless bird with nostrils on the end of its long, thin beak. Although the introduction of predators and loss of habitat caused a significant decline in numbers recovery programmes are now helping the Kiwi population to increase again.
The kea (pictured) is the only true mountain parrot in the world, and is mostly found in the Southern Alps. Naturally inquisitive and highly intelligent, keas are often seen around huts, ski lodges and carparks where their insatiable curiosity and sharp beaks have caused the destruction of many a sleeping bag and windscreen wiper.
The numbers of kakapo, a ground-dwelling parrot, had to dwindled to only 50 known birds in 1995. Today, the population has risen to 86 thanks to the comprehensive Kakapo Recovery Programme.
The takahe has a beautiful indigo plumage and bright red beak and legs, and was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in Fiordland in 1948. There are now about 190 takahe alive in the wild, and another 25 in captivity.

There are about 60 species of lizard, 30 each of gecko and skink, found in New Zealand, along with one very famous reptile. Often wrongly referred to as a lizard, the tuatara (a Maori word meaning 'peaks on the back', pertaining to its ridged spine) is the last remaining member of an ancient group of reptiles from the dinosaur age. Tuatara are now only found on certain small protected islands around New Zealand.

The coastlines are home to a wide variety of seabirds from the Royal Albatross, with its wingspan of 3.5 metres (over 11ft) to the rare Yellow-eyed penguins. Marine mammals such as New Zealand fur seals, Hector's dolphins (the world's smallest dolphin), massive Sperm whales, and Hooker's sealions enjoy the abundance of food found in the coastal waters and are fully protected under New Zealand law.

Today, after many years of research, New Zealand has become a leading authority in preservation, breeding and re-population techniques that are saving endangered species from extinction. The Department of Conservation and many other environmental groups are working to eradicate introduced predators. With control programs now operating extensively throughout the country, including establishing predator-free islands and fenced habitats, the future is looking bright for New Zealand's unique fauna.