From the time before humans arrived in New Zealand to pre-European Maori society to its use as a source of timber for building waka, ships and churches, to the profitable gum trade - kauri has an intriguing history that has been largely untold. Keith Stewart is fascinated by kauri and is passionate about telling its story. He felt compelled to write this comprehensive book, covering the complete botanical, cultural and commercial history of kauri in New Zealand. As one of largest trees in the world, kauri is a natural wonder and a New Zealand icon. Kauri delves into aspects of the tree that are often skimmed over: its spiritual role in Maori society: its commercial role in the timber trade and the cost of that trade on kauri forests: its use as a strong, pliable timber for craft and furniture making. Stewart also provides intriguing facts on kauri trees of particular importance, e.g. Tane Mahuta in Northland's Waipoua forest. At 51 metres (169 feet) in height with a circumference of 13.8 metres (45 feet) it is New Zealand's largest living kauri. There is no proof of the tree's age, but it is estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old.

Out of print for over two years this book is now being reissued by popular demand. Pip Williams spent his life observing and recording the use by local Maori of native plants for medical purposes. This book brings together his observations on 43 New Zealand plants and the health problems they were used to treat, colourfully interspersed with anecdotal evidence and beautifully illustrated with watercolours and engravings. Much of the information was told to the author by kuia and kaumatua over 40 years ago.

This fun and educational book features dozens of vibrant illustrations by talented artist, children's book writer and natural history enthusiast, Dave Gunson. New Zealand's most interesting native and introduced insects and other invertebrates have been illustrated specially for this book. Accompanied by fascinating facts about physical characteristics, habitat, feeding habits, breeding information and more, this book will have guaranteed appeal to the whole family. Each page features at least one large illustration of an insect plus text. Some entries also include illustrations of larvae eggs, male and female, etc, as well as additional fact panels with interesting nuggets of information. All About New Zealand Insects and Other Creepy-crawlies is an ideal introduction to many of the insects commonly found in New Zealand for people of all ages.

OVER 45 SPECTACULAR ROUTES

Wild coasts, jaw-dropping cliffs and caves, tranquil bays, thermal hotspots and smoking volcanoes, towering alps and grinding glaciers, primeval forests, lakes and braided rivers, seabird colonies and seal rookeries, offshore islands...New Zealand's natural wonders are top of any tourist's must-see list.

Peter Janssen's magnificent hardback touring guide dedicated to natural attractions is structured geographically around itineraries - 22 in the North Island and 24 in the South - each of which takes in several sites within one area, describing their natural beauty and listing a few good short walks or detours that show off the scenery at its best.

The itineraries are flexible, allowing the reader to simply follow the book or use it as back-up for their own extended touring plans. The text is supported by route instructions and detailed maps, and illustrated with stunning images from a brilliant landscape photographer.

Have you ever wondered why New Zealand's plants and animals are so different from those in other countries?

Why the kakapo is the only parrot in the world that cannot fly, or why the kiwi lives here and nowhere else?

New Zealand is an extraordinary place, unique on Earth, and the remarkable story of how and why life evolved here is the subject of Ghosts of Gondwana.

The science that traces the history of life on Earth is called historical biogeography and it is the theme of this book.

Biogeography is a wide-ranging study, involving geology, genetics and biology. There are no departments of it and no professors, but to understand 'what lives where and why' it is necessary to probe the cutting edge of fields as disparate as continental drift and the inner secrets of the magic DNA molecule.

Although we are blessed in New Zealand with many descriptive books about our birds, plants, landscapes and conservation issues, there is currently no up-to-date book that explains the origin of our life.

George Gibbs' very accessible story summarises exciting new research which leads to an understanding of where our fauna and flora came from and how they evolved to become some of the strangest in the world.

It also reveals the landmark events in our deep history which have moulded the life of today and presents a balanced view of the arguments which accompany this type of speculative science.

Ghosts of Gondwana is a highly readable and engaging book.

Heavily illustrated with photographs and diagrams, this is popular science writing at its best.

As the only contemporary book on this subject, it will undoubtedly become essential reading for anyone interested in New Zealand's natural history.

TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

Adrift in the South Pacific Ocean, separated from the rest of the world by vast distances and blessed with some of the most varied and spectacular natural landscapes on Earth, New Zealand is rather special.

Generations of geoscientists have developed an increasing understanding of what makes New Zealand geologically unique and why.

Highlights of this research, including many discoveries of global significance, are presented in this book.

A Continent on the Move explains what makes New Zealand tick geologically, and illustrates the ways that geoscience research can make this country a better place in which to live.

This book will be a stimulating addition to any coffee table and an asset in schools and universities.

It will also enable politicians, planners, and developers to make more informed decisions regarding appropriate land use, beneficial utilisation of resources, and protection against geological hazards, through a better understanding of the dynamic environment we live in.

TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

Wild birds can indeed be encouraged to live in the domestic New Zealand garden.

The secret is providing the right kind of water, food and shelter.

In this brilliant family reference book by Gordon Ell, you'll find everything you need to know to cultivate a property teeming with wildlife. Filled with practical general advice about luring birds and other creatures close to your home or school windows, you'll also find step-by-step guidelines and illustrations for building simple feeders, lists of suitable food plants and notes on watching birds.

Gordon Ell has built up a wealth of knowledge on the subject of attracting birdlife since his first book on the subject Encouraging Birds in the New Zealand Garden was published in 1981 (and which went on to reprint 11 times).

In this new book, which includes beautiful bird and nature photography by Geoff Moon and others, enticing birds into your backyard is made simpler than ever, regardless of the size or style of your garden and how much or how little spare time you have.

TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

New Zealand has a unique and attractive native plant life that is of interest to everyone from gardeners and trampers to students of botany and ecology. In Know Your New Zealand Native Plants Lawrie Metcalf introduces a selection of the most interesting, iconic and important New Zealand plants, spanning latitudes from subtropical to temperate, and altitudes from sea level to alpine mountaintop, describing their natural history and distinguishing features. This title joins New Holland's hugely successful 'Know Your ...' series, of which the first two titles - Birds and Trees - both reprinted twice within two years of their release. Written for a family readership and with the novice in mind, the text is light and easy in tone, with simple language, and is accompanied by full-page, full-colour portrait photographs.

This beginner's guide from Lynnette Moon forms an authoritative and easy-to-grasp introduction to over 80 of New Zealand's best-known bird species.

Though free of birding jargon and extraneous information, the text is lucid and packed with all the key facts on appearance, call, behaviour and nesting details that will enable the layperson to identify the species they see around them, from the backyard to the bush, beach and mountain.

Each entry is accompanied by a succinct data panel and a full-page, full-colour portrait photograph.

Everyone has heard of the tuatara, New Zealand's unique 'living dinosaur'; but equally fascinating, if less well known, are the country's other reptiles. There are more than 65 species of lizards (including skinks and geckos), frogs and other reptiles and amphibians native to New Zealand, and scientists such as author Tony Jewell are still discovering new species and subspecies today. In this new addition to a popular New Holland series, Tony covers all the known species from Northland to the far south; his text is backed up by outstanding photographs of their many geographic colour variants, so that readers will be equipped to identify almost any specimen encountered in the wild. A groundbreaking handbook and a superb aid for natural history enthusiasts, trampers and educationalists.