Nicola Toki
Critter of the Week: New Zealand sheetweb spider
Have you ever wondered what critter creates those large horizontal webs in our native forests? This week, Forest & Bird CEO Nicola Toki will introduce you to the creator behind the webs, the New… Audio
Critter of the Week: Thread-legged bug
This week's critter is a curious and cryptic insect you've probably never heard of. The native thread-legged bug, Empicorus seorsus, is unique to Aotearoa and is one of only four thread-legged bugs… Audio
Critter of the Week: By-the-wind-sailor | katiaho rere
This Sunday, November 3rd, is World Jellyfish Day, a time to celebrate these mysterious and wonderful gelatinous sea creatures. The katiaho rere or by-the-wind-sailor (Velella velella) are unique and… Audio
Critter of the Week: Moko-pāpā Waitaha gecko
To celebrate World Reptile Day, we're talking about the elusive and cryptic Moko-papa Waitaha gecko. Audio
Critter of the Week: Kikipounamu | Common Garden katydid
This week's critter is common in home gardens. The kikipounamu or common garden katydid, Caedicia simplex, looks a bit like a leaf - they have a bright green body, long spindly legs and wings that… Audio
Critter of the Week: the prickly shark
This week's critter is the prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookie), an uncommon species of deep-sea shark that lives throughout the Pacific Ocean. All sharks have rough skin, but this shark has… Audio
Critter of the Week: black-headed jumping spider
Looking for a spider to fall in love with? Well, this week's critter is a real head-turner. The endemic black-headed jumping spider, Trite planiceps, loves dancing, hunting and snuggling up in a cozy… Audio
Critter of the Week: common robber fly (Neoitamus melanopogon)
The common robber fly (Neoitamus melanopogon) lives in tussock grasslands and forest clearings throughout Aotearoa. It's only the size of a paperclip but don't be fooled - the common robber fly is a… Audio
Voting to begin in Bird of the Year competition
Voting kicks off this week for Forest and Bird's Bird of the Year competition, with a record number of volunteers signing up to campaign. Forest and Bird chief executive Nicola Toki spoke to Corin… Audio
Critter of the Week: Tokoriro, Occultastella morgana
The elusive and beautiful tokoriro, Occultastella morgana, was only recently discovered on the Denniston Plateau by Massey University Professor Steve Trewick. This remarkable species is just one of… Audio
Bird of the Year returns for 2024
US talkshow host John Oliver, led an aggressive campaign to carry the Puteketeke to a landslide win in last year's Bird of the Century competition. The bird also known as the Australasian Crested… Audio
Critter of the Week: New Zealand hermit crab | kaunga
This week's critter is the kaunga (New Zealand hermit crab, Pagurus novizealandiae). Audio
Critter of the Week: Globular springtails
Behold! globular springtails (Dicyrtoma spp.). Audio
Critter of the Week: Curt, the marine fluke
This week's critter is a trematode (also known as a fluke) that has chosen to parastitise not one, but three separate animals. Audio
Critter of the Week
This week's critter is the piriwai or spiny gilled mayfly, Coloburiscus humeralis. They spend most of their lives as flat-bodied nymphs, clinging to rocks in swift, clear streams and rivers. Adult… Audio
Critter of the Week
This week's critter is large and hairy and grows in the remote and inclement Subantarctic Islands. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 19 June
On today's episode, the big new North Shore Hospital building that has been empty for months is set to partially open - but it won't result in any more surgery, former Prime Minister Helen Clark, who… Audio
Conservation Minister suggests not all species can be saved
The Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says it would cost hundreds-of-billions, maybe trillions, of dollars to save all native species in New Zealand from extinction and instead we should identify the… Audio
Critter of the Week
This week's critter is the ro, also known as the smooth stick insect, whe or Clitarchus hookeri - our most common native stick insect. Smooth stick insects have a range of superpowers: as well as… Audio
Critter of the Week puteketeke
This week's critter isn't tiny, unloved or even unattractive, but it is bizarre. The puteketeke or Australasian crested grebe was crowned Bird of the Century last year thanks to an 'alarmingly… Audio