Wildlife hub

The unique wildlife of Waiheke…and Colorado!

Waking up to the cool, water-laden air of Waiheke is an experience I never want to leave. Each morning, I’m greeted by the gentle lapping of waves against Palm Beach, the sweet chatter of Tūī and Kākā, and the quiet rustling of fern leaves... As my time on Waiheke reaches its end, I find myself holding tightly to the sounds, scents, and colors that have become so familiar. I will miss the tranquility of the motu, which has welcomed me at the start of each new day. I will miss the vibrant, ever-changing natural landscape that seems to embody the spirit of the island itself. But most of all, I’ll deeply miss the people—those so deeply connected to the energy of Waiheke, whose fierce dedication to protecting its uniquely charming and vitally important native wildlife has left a life-long impact.

Meet the ngākeoke, also known as the velvet worm — a living fossil that has remained almost unchanged for over 500 million years. With their velvety skin, curious mix of worm- and insect-like traits, and extraordinary hunting tactics, these ancient creatures are some of Aotearoa’s most fascinating hidden residents.

Imagery via iNaturalist, Jacob Littlejohn (jacobl)

Aotearoa has been a land apart for millions of years, this has led to some remarkable examples of evolution driven by the environment - such as Dwarfism & Gigantism. The evolution of Rails on Aotearoa has been particularly fascinating…..

Giant Kōkopu - It’s been a wet few weeks, and while our water tanks are grateful, there’s another upside to all this rain—one particular fish has been biding it’s time, waiting for floods…..