Within easy reach,
Haast, South Westland, New Zealand, has an amazing abundance
of wildlife, with a vast array of habitats and ecosystems,
from the sea shore, to native bush, mountain streams and
glaciers, to wetlands and estuaries. The geology, plant
and animal life is unique and fascinating.
In recent years two newly discovered varieties of our
native icon the Kiwi bird were discovered near Haast,
just in time to save them from extinction, Haast is an
important part of the Department
of Conservation's Kiwi Sanctuary project.
Haast's native bush
is alive with bird song, and is a must see for birdwatchers,
it's habitat to friendly tui, bellbird, grey warbler,
fantail, wood pigeon and silvereye, members of the parrot
family, parakeet, kaka, also New Zealand's birds of prey,
the native falcon, even the nocturnal morepork, all can
be heard or seen on a short bush walk.
Little Blue penguins,
Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki), fur seals, are seen
often, and at times, dolphins can be seen surfing in on
the waves as they hunt tuna. Magnificent and interesting
introduced animals such as Red Deer and possum, do share
the environment, however, they cause damage to the delicate
ecosystem, and in their management and control, they have
become part of a new industry in New Zealand.
