This Wild South documentary examines the secrets of how life adapts and diversifies on the isolated Islands of the Pacific. It looks first at New Caledonia whose plants and animals go back to the time of Gondwana. Curious life forms have evolved from this ancient base, the flightless cagou and giant gecko among them.A lso examined is the process of the birth of new islands from volcanic sea mounts and how the are colonised by new life.A range of islands, from Bounty to Fiji, are looked at. Each one offering its own particular challenge and opportunity to new colonists. Penguins are seen living in giant tree daisy forests on the Snares Islands. Noddies on Heron Island are living in bird catching trees.The story is told of how plants and animals make their way to these isolated places, particularly the remarkable ocean journeys of coral larvae and coconuts. Also considered are the unsuccessful colonists: On Antipodes Island a vagrant Amsterdam Island seal from the Indian Ocean is seen searching for a mate in vain .Finally the documentary looks at the fabulous birds of paradise in New Guinea and poses a question about the vulnerability of such "children of splendid isolation" to introduced predators.

This documentary, made by TVNZ’s Natural History Unit (now NHNZ), charts the progress of the nor'west wind from its formation in the Tasman Sea across the Southern Alps to the Canterbury Plains and the east coast of the South Island. Along the way it dumps metres of precipitation on West Coast rain forest and snow on the Alps, then transforms to a dry, hot wind racing across the Plains. The film shows the wind's impact on the ecosystem and farming and muses on the mysterious effect it can have on humans. It screened as part of the beloved Wild South series.

The Poor Knights are a place where giant weta and giant landsnails still browse the forests, where large poisonous centipedes and shore crabs stalk the forest floor after dark. It’s also home to a large variety of lizards which pollinate the flowers and distribute the seeds of the forest. Once all these animals lived on the New Zealand mainland, but they would never survive today for this is a slice of New Zealand the way it once was and can never be again. On a tiny island lost since the dawn of time, we can glimpse a world long past. Here are creatures from another age. Giant armour-plated insects called wetas and huge land snails that still browse the forests. Poisonous centipedes over one foot long live with hungry land crabs that invade the forest and drag young seabirds from the safety of their burrows. Most amazingly the tuatara, a miniature dinosaur has survived on these remote islands unchanged for millions of years. The Poor Knights, the world as it was before man walked the earth.

Reefs seem utterly beautiful and incredibly fragile ecosystems susceptible to the ravages of the tides and the weather. Yet they have survived for millions of years. So what's their survival strategy? It's all to do with the full moon and a radical approach to sex.

Explains how penguins evolved so that they are now more at home under water than on the land to which they must return to breed and moult. Shows the diverse species of penguins which live in habitats ranging from the cold Antarctic to the tropical Galapagos.

Looks at the ecology of reefs, and examines the impact of falling populations of reef fish, due to overfishing, pollution, and environmental destruction.

Takes a look at the ecosystems of Northland's much-maligned mangrove (Avicennia) swamps from a new perspective as a place of hidden beauty and fascinating creatures.

Documentary series exploring the unique diversity of New Zealand's natural history.

Documentary series exploring the unique diversity of New Zealand's natural history.

Documentary looking at the adaptation of New Zealand's most loved native bird - the kiwi - and the volcanic nature of Godzone.

For millions of years New Zealand's native birds, animals and plants flourished in isolation, until the arrival of humans and the animals they brought with them. Examines the ecological impact of such introduced species as rats, cats, goats, possums and wasps, and discusses the measures now being taken to protect native species from them.

A camera crew uses radio tracking devices and night vision equipment to enter the nocturnal world of the kiwi and show the viewer how this shy and elusive bird lives.

This documentary tells the story of the inimitable kea. The 'Clown of the Alps' is heralded as the world’s smartest bird (its intelligence rivals a monkey’s). Kea are famous on South Island tracks and ski fields for their insatiable (and destructive) inquisitiveness. Curiosity almost killed the kea when it was labelled a sheep killer, and tens of thousands were killed for a bounty. After shots of baby kea being fed, there is extraordinary night footage in clip four of the 'avian wolf' in action. The award-winning film makes a compelling case for the charismatic kea as a national icon.

Kakapo, takahe, saddlebacks, kokako, giant weka, and tuatara are all critically endangered New Zealand species currently the subject of different management techniques aimed at ensuring their survival - all in the cause of trying to save our natural heritage before it's too late.

Documentary series exploring the unique diversity of New Zealand's natural history. Looks at the wildlife to be found in a city garbage dump in New Zealand.

Crayfish, lobster or langouste - whatever the name, it is among the most sought after animals in the sea, but surprisingly little is known of the life of crayfish on the reef. Even more curious are the crayfishes' activities in the depths at the dead of night; followed by the never-before-seen release of larvae at dawn. We follow these larvae on their yearlong voyage at sea and then pick up the trail on the mysterious underwater marches of the adults. Where do they come from and where do they go? Alistair McDiamid and his colleagues from the University Research Station (Leigh Marine Laboratory, University of Auckland) at the Goat Island Marine Reserve have conducted a scientific study of the crayfish in the protected marine reserve in an attempt to halt the decline in crayfish numbers and to chart their migratory patterns.

Shipwrecks live again when they become to a variety of marine creatures. This programme looks at the conversion of three New Zealand shipwrecks - the Moana, near Dunedin; the Taupo, in the Bay of Plenty; and the Rainbow Warrior near the Bay of Islands.

A documentary about the devastation wrought by Cyclone Bola on the East Cape region in March 1988.

Documentary series exploring the unique diversity of New Zealand's natural history.

This documentary is about the largest sea bird in the world - the northern royal albatross at its Tairoa Head colony on the Otago peninsular. It focuses on one particular albatross, “Grandma”, who at 60 years is the oldest banded bird in the world and remarkably still breeding. “Grandma” and her mate have a 17 year old trusting relationship with the colony’s senior warden, Shirley Webb . They allow her to stroke them and remove their egg and chick for weighing. Eight months after emerging from his egg, grandma’s offspring takes flight on a five year journey circling the Great Southern Ocean before hopefully returning to Tairoa Head.

A spectacular look at the strange and wonderful world of New Zealand's limestone areas. Exploring deep underground in New Zealand's caves reveals the intricate beauty of stalactites, stalagmites, cave straws, cave pearls and extraordinary creatures adapted to live in total darkness.