With a long and complex coastline scattered with countless islands, and freshwater waterways weaving all through our rugged landscape, Aotearoa really is an aquatic nation. As such, it is home to a bounty of colourful and characterful fishes. ‘Fishes of Aotearoa’ is a major celebration of this fish life, set to the backdrop of all our primary underwater habitats, from freshwater rivers, lakes and wetlands, tidal environments, rocky reefs, the softer sedimentary habitat of sand and silt, and then further out, the pelagic zone of the deeper ocean. With a wonderful array of fascinating stories about all the best-known fish species, as well as descriptions of many of the wonderful and weird species not so well known, it is a captivating read. All of this is illustrated with superb underwater photography by the author and marine ecologist, Paul Caiger, and very much written for a general audience. ‘Fishes of Aotearoa’ is one of the most significant books ever published about the fish life that we share this country with.

Where Is It? in town – Ned Barraud  $22

A ‘look and find’ book for all children who want to learn about New Zealand’s wildlife. A sister publication to the highly successful ‘Where is it?’, this book focuses on wildlife that Kiwi kids will encounter in town. Each page illustrates a different urban environment, including a garden both in the daytime and at night, the local botanic gardens, a creek and in the sea below the wharf, in long grass and above in the trees, in a native reserve, in a garden shed and in the country on the edge of town. There is also extra information about many of the animals featured. ‘Where is it in town?’ is a wonderfully interactive way to teach younger children about New Zealand’s natural world, with stunning illustrations to enhance their learning.

Tasting with your Feet is a fascinating insight into the ways that animals use sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and other sensory abilities to make sense of the world. One of the most interesting aspects of the animal kingdom is the way that animals have developed an incredible array of senses to live day-to-day in the world. Butterflies taste with their feet, a bumblebee can see a flower’s ultraviolet colours, a shark can sense its prey’s electric pulses, a bat can use echolocation to fly through a forest at night without hitting anything, a godwit can use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate from Alaska to New Zealand. Tasting with your Feet explores the myriad, and often bizarre ways that animals use sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and the ability to sense movement, to make their way in the world. With clear descriptions and wonderfully illustrative artwork, Ned Barraud opens up this world to children in a highly original way. Any child interested in the animals around them will be intrigued by this beautiful book.

The Living Tree – Dave Gunson $25.00

An in-depth look at native and introduced New Zealand trees and all the life that lives and thrives in, on and around the unique environments that they provide.

Featuring information about the many fascinating animals, plants and fungi that live within the varied habitats of our trees, including fantail, kereru, giant weta, huhu beetle, forest gecko, shore skink, bracket fungi, clematis and many more!

by Niels Meyer-Westfeld $60.00

In this illustrated nature journal, Niels Meyer-Westfeld explores the feathers of Aotearoa’s native birds, from the long wing feathers of an albatross that enable it to soar endlessly over the oceans, to the tiny, insulating feathers of a penguin. Feathers are one of nature’s most remarkable evolutionary developments, an ingenious solution to the countless environmental challenges that birds face. This exquisitely illustrated book, that combines artwork with compelling insights, will reveal a largely unknown aspect of the avian world, and will appeal to anyone with an interest in our unique bird life.

Mātātā – New Zealand Fernbird by Peter Coburn $35.00

It is a shame more New Zealanders do not have the opportunity to become familiar with one of our more delightful native bird species – the Fernbird.

In this book, Peter Coburn offers a rare glimpse into the world of this lesser-known species. His photography captures the character of the inquisitive birds in their natural habitat.

New Zealand Fungi – 3rd Edition by Rebecca Bowater $60.00

Pekapeka – New Zealand Bats by Dave Bell $22.00

A pictorial study of New Zealand bats, the only native terrestrial mammals found in New Zealand. Bringing to light their uniqueness, hardships faced and the important roles they play in New Zealand’s ecosystems.
Dedicated to the hardworking group of keen individuals and organisations that are endeavouring to save our bats from extinction.