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Pick up virtually any textbook on vertebrate evolution and you will find mention of the curious reptile known as tuatara (Sphenodon). The special evolutionary status of tuatara as the last of the rhynchocephalians--one of the four orders of living reptiles--is unquestioned. Wild members of the sole living species are now restricted to a few dozen remote islands around the New Zealand coast, where for several centuries they have been observed and studied by humans. But are tuatara really unchanged "living fossils," or close relatives of dinosaurs, as sometimes portrayed? This is the first detailed monograph in decades about this enigmatic reptile, and the first to be illustrated in color throughout. The evolution, natural history, and conservation of tuatara are covered in comprehensive detail, providing a valuable resource for the specialist yet in a style accessible to a wide readership. The special place of tuatara in Maori and popular culture is also considered. Tuatara have survived alongside humans for more than 700 years, though with their numbers much reduced: what are their future prospects in a globally changing world? In this book, Alison Cree brings her personal experience of tuatara on more than 14 islands, in ecosanctuaries, and in captivity, to this wide-ranging overview.

Presents an introduction to New Zealand's West Coast's physical environment, plants, and animals, and provides a guide to the walks-short, easy paths as well as longer, more demanding trails-lakes, lagoons, and highways of the remote yet accessible region. These attractions will appeal to bird watchers, botanists, natural historians, ecologists, and nature hikers.

Filled with real-life characters, this book combines archival and newspaper sources in a highly readable narrative about humorous crimes and criminals. As it describes a wide variety of colonial crimes and their courtroom sequels, these true-life narratives contain a mixture of transient folk and locals who claim they only broke the law due to drunkenness.

Featuring both contemporary and historical photography, this book records a part of New Zealand history and culture that risks being lost as small towns change and become more urbanised: the importance of local community halls. Colourful, funny, sad, happy, and at times tragic, this book will interest social historians and those who value kinship.

In this fascinating book, an Italian literary scholar traces the story of his grandparents' childhood on Stromboli, Italy, at the end of the 19th century, and their later immigration to New Zealand. Painting a lively picture of life in Island Bay, New Zealand's "Little Italy", from 1900 to the 1960s, this book weaves events and themes into a moving story of the family's moments of joy and sorrow.

The second of three volumes, this account charts the progress of a scientific inventory of New Zealand's living and fossilized biodiversity. An intriguing guide, it focuses on Ecdysozoa (molting animals), the enigmatic phylum Chaetognatha (arrow worms), and the fossil traces of ancient animal activities.

In this eclectic and delightful mix of memoir, biography, and history, veteran journalist and broadcaster Eric Beardsley gives a candid account of his life. The narrative chronicles the reporter's experiences from his childhood in 1920s and 1930s Christchurch, New Zealand, to his achievements as lead writer at the Press and information officer for the University of Canterbury.

Demonstrating how individuals can grow their own supply of everyday ingredients to produce affordable and easy meals year-round that are both healthy and sustainable, this book also explains the significance of emerging "foodways" in modern society and details trends such as the Slow Food Movement. It also includes recipes to enjoy sustainable home cooking.

Traversing the significant changes that have occurred in the working lives of seamen and in union practices, this comprehensive history details the New Zealand Seamen's Union's past. Arguing that the union has been moderate in its activity, this account offers a better understanding of New Zealand's political and industrial history and where the N

Acknowledging a remarkable woman whose contributions to her country went largely unrecognized during her lifetime, this biography captures the accomplishments of New Zealand writer and activist Elsie Locke. It also outlines her portfolio of 40 books, numerous articles, and even poetry.

Describes the Chatham Islands, with particular emphasis on their geology, flora, fauna, habitats, and extinct and endangered species - both on the land and in the sea. It gives an introduction to the history of the islands and a guide to the many reserves and covenants that have been set up to protect and conserve the islands' heritage.

A portrait of an attentive son, a steadfast friend and erudite academic, a resolute administrator and a multi-skilled professional artist.

Covering nearly 1,500 species, this guide to marine invertebrates found around the coasts of New Zealand is suitable for divers, naturalists, and professional scientists. Each section outlines a major taxonomic group, such as starfishes, crustaceans, and mollusks, and describes each animal's morphology, habitat, abundance, and distribution.

Providing a list of officially classified threatened New Zealand plants, this ready reference contains the distinguishing features of each plant, the specific threat it faces, and its distribution, enabling the user to identify threatened vascular plants by providing technical botanical descriptions, notes, and full-color visuals.

The collection of stories focuses on the lives of ordinary people from Christchurch, New Zealand, who have had to cope with the devastation caused by the earthquake that struck the city on September 4, 2010. This book highlights the stoicism of the people of Christchurch as they dealt with the ongoing aftershocks and undertook rebuilding their city and their lives.

This concise and readable narrative has now been revised to bring the story of the island world - from its first settlement by raft and canoe voyagers, through the period of western contact and acculturation - up to 2010.

A comprehensive account about the lives of French immigrants in New Zealand, this work chronicles the social and political events in 1840 when New Zealand was nearly divided into two countries-a French South Island and a British North Island. It examines how communities still nurture the French heritage that attracts many tourists to the town of Akaroa to this day.

Palmer: The parliamentary years is the product of research involving more than 200 linear metres of archives, as well as interviews with Palmer, his family and associates, some now deceased. It is a fascinating warts-and-all account of the political career of one of New Zealand's brightest sons.