The freshwater habitats of New Zealand are home to the New Zealand Longfin Eel. These eels can grow up to 6.6 feet long, with females reaching this maximum size. Hence, the New Zealand Longfin Eel is one of the world’s largest eel species. 

These eels are olive green to brown. Their long dorsal fins are notable features; they undulate gracefully, helping them move quietly during nocturnal hunts. Despite their size, they are shy creatures.

During the day, they hide in shadowy locations, such as submerged logs or unseen crevices. Their keen sense of smell helps them find prey, primarily invertebrates, small mammals, and other fish.

Moreover, these eels can live for over a century but only breed once. During the breeding season, they embark on an epic journey from their freshwater homes to their spawning grounds in the deep Pacific Ocean near Tonga. After mating, the eels die. Then, thousands of minute larvae return to New Zealand, guided by the waves.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Siamang gibbons are the largest among the gibbon species? They can be twice as large, reaching up to 3.3 ft.

I was going to end with the greatest football (soccer) rivalry, but I’m at a loss. Real Madrid–FC Barcelona? Celtic-Rangers? AC Milan–Inter Milan? Boca Juniors–River Plate? Manchester United–Liverpool? Too many choices. Instead, I’ll go the  rugby route: South Africa’s Springboks versus New Zealand’s All Blacks (a nickname derived from their uniforms, though several New Zealand players had to be declared “honorary whites” in order to be able to play in apartheid-era South Africa in 1970). With few exceptions, year in and year out, South Africa  and New Zealand have dominated international rugby. Since their first official meeting in 1921, neither has fared well on the other’s home turf, but New Zealand became dangerous for the Springboks in other ways in 1981, when local outrage at South Africa’s apartheid policy led to widespread protests and street battles with police. South Africa was prohibited from competing in the first World Cup competitions in 1987 and 1991. In 1995 apartheid was history (at least on paper), and long-imprisoned Black activist Nelson Mandela was the president of South Africa when it returned to the World Cup and won it by beating New Zealand in the championship game (a story told in the movie Invictus).

Custard Apple Botanically known as Annona squamosa from Annonaceae family. Common name are Sitaphal, Sugar apple red, Sweetsop. It is a small many branched semi-evergreen tree. 

This Balanagar variety of custard apple is most adaptable variety and yielding of this variety is too high when compared to other custard apple. The fruit is medium size and green in color with sweet in taste. It can be planted in any corner of the garden and requires less water and does best in dry climates. 

This tree should only be planted outdoors in frost-free areas protected from cold winds. It is best grown in rich, evenly moist but well-drained soils in full sun to semi-shade.

Namaqualand is part of the Succulent Karoo and is an arid region of South Africa and Namibia. An estimated 3500 plant species that live in this dry place with around 1000 being endemic to the Namaqualand. The early Spring brings the South African daisy season, a very short period that transforms this arid land into an incredible rainbow of colours. Namaqua National Park resides inside Namaqualand and is one of the best places to see the spectacular spring flower displays and also conserves some of the world’s richest succulent.

Depict an intriguing scene where a largescale dinosaur, bathed in a radiant emerald green hue with massive, bony plates along its spine and sharp, threatening teeth, is carefully balanced on an oversized ant. The ant, resilient and robust, displays a shiny, black exterior and sports gigantic, curved antenna. The background is filled with lush, prehistoric greenery and bright blue skies. The image provides a stark contrast between the two creatures, showcasing their unique sizes and characteristics.

Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, is the highest peak in New Zealand and a place of immense reverence to the Ngāi Tahu, the local Māori people. It graces the Southern Alps and has a commanding presence in Mount Cook National Park. Aoraki means “Cloud Piercer” in Māori.

We want to highlight the name of this lovely flowering plant, Kalanchoe, before anything else. And as vivid and different as the name sounds, flowers are also unique. The cuteness of the small petals along with bright colours makes an aura of magical surroundings. Kalanchoe is mainly native to Madagascar and tropical Africa but loved by all because it can bloom all year.

New Zealand's giant flightless bird

New Zealand’s largest birds probably became extinct within one hundred years of humans first arriving in New Zealand, around 1300 A.D.. However, there were unsubstantiated sightings of moa by whalers and sealers into the 18th and even 19th centuries. Moa were a family of eleven species of flightless birds that were only found within New Zealand. The largest species grew up to 3.7 m (12 ft) tall and weight up to 230 kg (510 lb) – no wonder they were hunted by Maori! They were the only wingless birds known to have existed – even their cousin the flightless kiwi still has little vestigial wings hidden under its feathers. Prior to their extinction, they were the dominant plant-eater in New Zealand’s forests and only had one predator, Haast’s Eagle; the largest eagle ever known to exist and also the victim of extinction following the demise of the moa to hunting by Maori.



Photo by Sciencemag.org

Kiwi were long regarded as the closest relative to the moa, but recent studies suggest that either the Australia emu and cassowary or tinamous birds from South America are likely the closest cousins. Female moa grew considerably larger than their mates and weighed almost three times as much, in some cases. Although most images of reconstructed moa skeletons or artists’ impressions of the birds show them standing upright, it is likely that they actually moved along with their head out in front, just like a kiwi does. Despite almost always being portrayed as giants, some species of Moa were actually significantly smaller, much shorter than the height of a person, and some possibly as small as chickens!

Of course, completely lacking wings the question has been asked “how did the moa get to the islands of New Zealand”. It’s thought most likely that moa were already roaming New Zealand prior to it breaking away from the super-continent of Gondwana about 80 million year ago.

Many moa bones, eggs (including over 30 whole eggs), feathers, dehydrated skin and nesting materials have been found from a number of caves and other locations around New Zealand, in particular from the dry Central Otago region.

Species from top to bottom: South Island Giant Moa (Dinornis Robustus), Eastern Moa (Emeus Crassus), & The Little Bush Moa (Anomalopteryx Didiformis).

All three along with 6 other Moa species were driven to extinction by hunting and habitat destruction about 600 years ago.

Art Credit: Gabriel Ugueto