OCEANIA
(New Zealand - for now)
Oceania is a region of over 10,000 islands throughout the South Pacific. It includes Australia, the microcontinent of Zealandia (composed of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea) and three island regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Nearly all of Oceania is under the Pacific, a vast body of water larger than Earth’s continental landmasses and islands combined. The isolation of the islands allowed the development of immense natural and cultural diversity.
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Oceania's flora and fauna evolved uniquely due to migration from southern Asia during the last glacial period. Rising sea levels isolated species, leading to adaptations on individual islands and creating many endemic species found nowhere else. Plants spread between islands via wind and ocean currents.
Oceania was populated over tens of thousands of years, starting with the migration of early humans to Australia and New Guinea around 50,000–65,000 years ago, followed by Austronesian seafarers settling the Pacific islands about 3,000–4,000 years ago.
Polynesians were the first to settle in New Zealand (Aotearoa), arriving around the 13th century. Part of the larger Austronesian seafaring tradition, they were known for their advanced navigation skills and oceanic exploration, at some point even reaching South America. These early settlers, Māori, established distinct cultural practices, adapting their Polynesian heritage to New Zealand’s unique environment.
Māori developed rich traditions in arts, oral storytelling, and carving, as well as haka (war dances) and waiata (songs). Their society is organized into tribal groups known as iwi, divided into sub-tribes hapū. Māori society is deeply connected to the land (whenua) and emphasises respect for nature and ancestors (whakapapa).
Aotearoa’s unique ecosystems, shaped by the absence of native land mammals (except for bats), allowed birds, reptiles, and plants to evolve in distinct ways. Nearly 1,900 of about 3,400 species of vascular plants, 44 per cent of birds, and 126 reptile species, including tuatara - a living fossil, are endemic. They do not occur anywhere else on the planet. It is home to the only truly alpine parrot in the world - kea, the largest and only non-flying parrot - kākāpō, the only bird in the world with nostrils at the end of its beak and largest egg in proportion to its body - kiwi. All of them are endangered, facing pest species brought to the island by the Māori and later by the British, who colonised the land. Mice, rats, possums, feral cats, weasels, goats, deer, etc. pose a threat to native fauna, either by predation or competition. There are numerous conservation initiatives in New Zealand all fighting to eradicate pests and restore the endemic flora and fauna.
Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua lies at the northernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. For Māori, it is the departure point for spirits on their journey to the ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. (Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga, New Zealand)
Surrounding Cape Reinga are numerous picturesque bays, including Spirits Bay. (Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga, New Zealand)
Perfect wind conditions, world-class beaches and a strong kitesurfing community make New Zealand a prime destination year-round. (Ahipara, New Zealand)
Over millions of years, volcanic eruptions have deposited materials like lava and ash onto the land, which have weathered and eroded to form the fine, dark sand for which Whatipu and other beaches on the Auckland west coast. (Whatipu Beach, New Zealand)
Piha Beach, just outside of Auckland, is a popular spot for surfing. (Piha Beach, New Zealand)
Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage site, is shaped by over 275,000 years of volcanic activity. The park is centred around three active volcanoes: Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro, each with a distinct geological history and cultural significance. (Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
Mount Ngauruhoe, a secondary cone of Mount Tongariro, is a relatively young formation with initial eruptions dating back approximately 2,500 years. Its most recent notable eruptions occurred between 1954 and 1975. No wonder, that Ngauruhoe means “throwing hot stones” in Māori. (Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
Ngauruhoe gained international fame as the stand-in for Mount Doom in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, where its symmetrical form provided a dramatic backdrop for the fictional story. (Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
Mount Ruapehu, the highest and most massive of the park's volcanoes, has been a significant geological feature for about 200,000 years. It is known for its prominent Crater Lake, which sits within the summit crater. The lake's temperature can vary significantly, influenced by volcanic heat beneath the surface, and it occasionally changes in colour and clarity. (Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
Jagged peaks of the Pinnacles Ridge on Mount Ruapehu. Whakapapa Ski Area on an active volcano is New Zealand's largest ski field. (Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
The shadow of Mount Ruapehu is cast next to Mount Taranaki over 100km away. (Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
Tama Lakes (Ngā puna a Tama) are two crater lakes in Tongariro National Park. They were formed within a series of explosion craters on the Tama Saddle, between Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe. (Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
Mount Taranaki has been forming for over 135,000 years through cycles of explosive eruptions, lava flows, and cone collapses. Although dormant since its last eruption in 1854, it remains a “sleeping” active volcano and is closely monitored due to the potential for future eruptions. (photo taken from Tongariro NP, New Zealand)
According to Māori legend, Taranaki Mounga once lived alongside Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Pihanga. Fierce battles for Pihanga’s love ended with Taranaki's defeat and retreat, carving the Whanganui River in his journey to the ocean. Emerging near the Pouākai range, Taranaki united with her, giving rise to the rich forests, rivers, and life that now flourish on their slopes. (Egmont NP/Te Papakura o Taranaki, New Zealand)
Pouākai Range and Tasman Sea from the top of Taranaki Maunga. (Egmont NP/Te Papakura o Taranaki, New Zealand)
Egmont NP forms a perfect circle around the volcano's top, containing temperate rainforests, subalpine shrublands, and unique alpine environments. Rivers and streams, fed by the mountain’s snowmelt, carve through the landscape, creating numerous waterfalls such as the Bell Falls. (Egmont NP/Te Papakura o Taranaki, New Zealand)
Even though it is the smallest national park in New Zealand it still offers a range of ecosystems that support rich biodiversity. (Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand)
The New Zealand fur seal or kekeno can be distinguished from sea lions by their pointy nose and smaller size and the fact that they prefer rocky shorelines. (Abel Tasman NP, New Zealand)
View towards Mahanga Range in Nelson Lakes National Park which contains vast beech forests, multiple lakes, snow-covered mountains and valleys created by glaciers during the ice ages. (Nelson Lakes NP, New Zealand)
Kaikōura, a chill coastal town is the perfect blend of the sea (Pacific Ocean) and the mountains (Seaward Kaikōura Range). Nutrient-rich waters support diverse marine ecosystems and wildlife including several species of whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds. (Kaikōura, New Zealand)
Paparoa National Park includes coastal landscapes, lush rainforests, and distinctive karst formations, formed by millennia of coastal erosion and weathering. (Paparoa NP, New Zealand)
The South Island robin or kakaruai, is a small passerine bird, with a curious and bold nature that often approaches humans closely. (Paparoa NP, New Zealand)
With their friendly "cheet cheet" calls, fantails, or pīwakawakas, are often flitting about in rapid movements, using their tails to flush out insects and other small invertebrates from foliage and undergrowth. (Paparoa NP, New Zealand)
Arthur’s Pass National Park represents a perfect transition between the arid east and the lush green west coast. (Arthur’s Pass NP, New Zealand)
Raureka, a rangatira (high rank) of Kāi Wairaki, ventured from the coast into the mountains, crossing valleys, rivers, and the Main Divide. She discovered a pass to the east, now called Nōti Raureka, becoming the first to cross the Southern Alps. (Arthur’s Pass NP, New Zealand)
Kea is the only alpine parrot found on Earth and it is endemic to the South Alps of New Zealand. It is well-adapted to the rugged, high-altitude environment, where it feeds on a varied diet, including fruits, seeds, and even the occasional insect or small animal. (Arthurs Pass NP, New Zealand)
Mount Cook or Aoraki which means “Cloud Piercer” with 3,724 m.a.s.l. is the highest mountain in New Zealand and considered the ancestor of the Ngāi Tahu people. (Mount Cook/Aoraki National Park, New Zealand)
Hooker lake is formed by the meltwater from the Hooker Glacier, which gives the water a unique turquoise colour. (Mount Cook/Aoraki NP)
Tasman Glacier spans approximately 27 kilometres and is the largest glacier in New Zealand. Over the past few decades, it has experienced a substantial retreat, causing the formation of Tasman Lake. (Mount Cook/Aoraki NP)
Hooker and Tasman rivers, originating from glaciers bearing the same name are feeding Lake Pūkaki. (Mount Cook/Aoraki NP, New Zealand)
Mount Aspiring, known as Tititea to the Māori, meaning "Glistening Peak," holds deep cultural significance to the Ngāi Tahu iwi (tribe). (Aspiring/Tititea National Park, New Zealand)
New Zealand has a strong culture of alpinism and a good distribution of alpine huts, such as the French Ridge hut below Mount Aspiring/Tititea. (Aspiring NP, New Zealand)
Mist and first sun rays over Matuki River and its valley. (Aspiring/Tititea NP, New Zealand)
There are estimated to be between 1,047 to 1,500 outdoor huts in New Zealand, mostly operated by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and other organizations, offering unique places to stay and a refuge from bad weather. (Brewster Hut, Aspiring/Tititea NP, New Zealand)
Studies have shown that the volume lost from the Brewster Glacier due to climate change is equal to basic drinking water requirements for all New Zealanders for those three years. (Aspiring/Tititea NP, New Zealand)
New Zealand has over 3,800 lakes that vary in size, depth, and origin. (Lake Wānaka, New Zealand)
Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand is surrounded by dramatic valleys and rugged mountain peaks. (Ben Lomond, New Zealand)
Glenorchy, situated at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu, marks the confluence of the Dart and Rees Rivers. (Otago, New Zealand)
Esquilant Hut below Pikirakatahi / Mount Earnslaw, with 2830m the second-highest mountain in Aspiring National Park. (Aspiring/Tititea NP, New Zealand)
Mount Edward, whose Dart glacier feeds the Dart river, which flows into the northern end of Lake Wakatipu. (Aspiring/Tititea NP, New Zealand)
Mount Aspiring / Tititea National Park's landscape is varied and complex, being the source of seven major rivers, and featuring glaciers, rocky mountains, gorges, waterfalls, and passes. (Aspiring/Tititea National Park, New Zealand)
The endemic New Zealand sea lion or whakahao in Māori is one of the rarest and most threatened sea lion species in the world. As apex predators, they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. (Kaka Point, New Zealand)
Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is a living fossil due to its ancient lineage. Despite its lizard-like appearance, the tuatara is not a lizard but belongs to a distinct order called Rhynchocephalia, which diverged from other reptiles approximately 240 million years ago. (Dunedin, New Zealand)
Douglas Rock Hut in Copland Valley. Long before the hut was built local Māori would frequently visit the area to hunt weka and bathe in the hot pools. (West Coast, New Zealand)
Tūī is known for its complex and varied vocalizations, including melodious notes, clicks, cackles, and wheezes. Each tūī has a unique repertoire, mimicking sounds from their environment, including other birds and even human-made noises. (Ōkārito, New Zealand)
Fiordland National Park is a vast, remote wilderness dominated by rugged mountains, deep valleys, and pristine lakes, surrounded by dense, temperate rainforests. (Omanui/McKinnon Pass, New Zealand)
Southern Falls, 580 meters tall and fed by water from Lake Quill above, was once believed to be the highest waterfall in New Zealand. (Fiordland NP, New Zealand)
Over the past 2 million years, glaciers have periodically blanketed the region, carving deep into the rock and shaping the distinctive U-shaped valleys seen today. (Gertrude Saddle, Fiordland NP, New Zealand)
Exfoliation of the white granite rocks makes Mount Titiroa a unique feature in the otherwise lush and steep-sloped mountains of the Fiordland (Fiordland NP, New Zealand)