Nicola Toki
Critter of the Week: The ghost shrimp
This week's critter is the ghost shrimp (Filhollianassa filholi) - a type of mud or burrowing shrimp only found in Aotearoa. They dig themselves elaborate burrows in the sand between the high and low… Audio
Critter of the Week Fischer’s egg fungus
Summer is officially over and Autumn has begun. It's a time of year that fungi lovers across the country get excited about as all sorts of weird and wonderful fruiting bodies emerge out of the dark… Audio
Forest and Bird concerned over Govt Fast Track bill
The Government's Fast Track Approval bill will put New Zealand's threatened species on a fast track to extinction and leave a mess for future governments to clean up.
That's the assessment of… Audio
Critter of the Week: black cockroach hunter wasp
If you're a native New Zealand cockroach, the ngaro wiwi black cockroach hunter wasp is the stuff of your worst nightmares. Audio
Critter of the Week: waikaka black mudfish
Today is World Wetlands Day and this week's critter, the waikaka black mudfish, reveals just how vital these boggy ecosystems are for some of our more elusive and endangered fish species. Waikaka… Audio
Critter of the Week: Giant land snail
The first Critter of 2024 is the largest snail in Aotearoa - the superb giant land snail, Powelliphanta superba. These snails are big, golden and fabulous, and they're a worm's worst nightmare! Audio
Critter of the Week: Redcoat Damselfly
Santa isn't the only one zipping around in a red coat at this time of year. The beautiful redcoat damselfly, Xanthocnemis zealandica, is commonly seen flitting around streams and ponds all over the… Audio
Critter of the Week: Kiwaia moth
This week's critter is a tiny jumping moth. The flightless and dusty-looking Kiwaia "Cloudy Bay" moth only lives on one type of mat daisy (Raoulia australis) in a few areas of north-eastern… Audio
Critter of the Week: The Mt Arthur giant weta
Monday December 11 is International Mountain Day - a day to celebrate mountains and the incredible role they play in our world. It's also a great day to celebrate the Mt Arthur giant weta, Deinacrida… Audio
Critter of the Week: Spittlebug
The week's critter is a native species of spittlebug. Spittlebugs get their common name from the spit-like substance the young bugs create on plants. Audio
Critter of the Week: The giant nematode
This week's critter is a giant species of nematode (a type of worm) that is longer than a small shipping container and roughly the volume of an oil drum! The giant nematode, Placentonema gigantissima… Audio
Critter of the Week: Alexander Beetle
The Alexander beetle is a beautiful iridescent green beetle that is only found in Canterbury. It's a fierce predator of critters smaller than itself and has long slender legs which are excellent for… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - feathers fly over election outcomes
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Mark Leishman about allegations of foreign interference in the Bird of the Century vote - and dubious concerns about the general… Audio
Critter of the Week: wheku, laughing owl, hakoke or korehengi
The whekau (also known as the laughing owl, hakoke, or korehengi) is one of only two species of owls native to Aotearoa. Audio
Bird of the Century competition winner delayed due overwhelming number of votes
Forest and Bird has been overrun with votes in its Bird of the Century competition.
Hundreds of thousands have been cast, so many it hasn't been able to count them all and has had to delay announcing… Audio
The Mixtape: Nicola Toki
Our Guest picking their favourite songs today is New Zealand conservationist Nicola Toki.
Her passion and enthusiasm for our nature and native wildlife is inspiring. Audio
Critter of the Week: Purple people eater jellyfish
Today (Nov 3) is World Jellyfish Day - a day to celebrate these remarkable sea creatures that have been around for around 500 million years and are older than the dinosaurs! The purple people eater… Audio
Bird of the Century voting opens
Bird of the Year is back - only this year, it's Bird of the Century. Forest and Bird is turning 100, and it is celebrating with the native birds that have captured our hearts over the years.
Voting… Audio
Critter of the Week: The Canterbury scree cicada
Summer is on its way and that means our cicadas are crawling their way out of the ground to sing up a storm. Did you know Aotearoa is home to the world's only alpine cicadas? It's the Canterbury scree… Audio
Critter of the Week: The Hobbit Psyllid
You might find this tiny critter in a kowhai tree near you. The hobbit psyllid takes its scientific name from Frodo Baggins as both are smaller than their relations. It's also found in the South… Audio