Book Description

photographs by Gerald Cubitt Once part of an ancient supercontinent, New Zealand was isolated by the sea to form its present-day raft of islands stretching from the sub-tropical to the sub-Antarctic. This superbly illustrated book offers a tour of this diverse, wild "land of the long white cloud," capturing in text and over 400 full-color photographs New Zealand's untamed areas and the wildlife that inhabits them. The journey begins in the rugged northern peninsula, with its rocky coastline and impressive stands of kauri forests, continues through the length and breadth of North and South Islands, and then leaves the mainland for the islands beyond. Much of New Zealand's beauty is preserved in an extensive system of national parks, within which the natural diversity is almost endless. High peaks and meadows of alpine flowers give way to dense rainforest. Geysers and hot springs bubble and fume in the thermal regions. Long sleek beaches and quiet bays offer peace and seclusion. In this land are found creatures that exist nowhere else on earth: the shy kiwi that makes its home in the dense beech forests; the many rare birds that have a last refuge in the offshore islands; and the tuatara - a reptile that has existed since the age of dinosaurs and now clings precariously to survival. Wild New Zealand also offers a view of the country's ancient origins, its cultural heritage, and the conservation efforts that seek to preserve the awesome beauty of this wondrous land. Gerald Cubitt is one of the world's leading natural history photographers. and is particularly well known for his sensitive portrayals of the wildlife and wilderness areas of Africa and South-east Asia. Specially commissioned to provide the photographs for Wild New Zealand, he and his wife, Janet, travelled extensively through the islands, seeking to capture the astonishing variety of landscapes and the unique fauna and flora to be found there. He is deeply committed to providing an evocative record of the natural world that will encourage awareness of our environment's increasing fragility.