The New Zealand fauna is unique. Unusual birds and reptiles of orders found nowhere else in the world live here.

But past invasions of New Zealand by Polynesian and European settlers have left the wildlife of New Zealand in complete disarray – destruction of habitat coupled with a range of introduced predators has left many species in a critically endangered state.

Now conservationists are trying to redress the balance. In the field of managing threatened wildlife New Zealand is an acknowledged leader. But wildlife conservation has many approaches – each of which may be applied to specific examples of wildlife conservation.

Kakapos, takahes, saddlebacks, kokakoes, giant wekas, and tuataras are all critically endangered New Zealand species currently the subject of different management techniques aimed at ensuring their future survival. All in the cause of trying to save as much of New Zealand’s natural heritage before it is too late.