Paintings of the Birds of New Zealand: The Art of J G Keulemans by John G. Keulemans

$12.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: very good

A beautifully packaged giftbook presentation of the famous, iconic paintings by J. G. Keulemans made for Buller's Birds.The paintings and drawings are accompanied by an expert introduction to Keulemans' work and extended captions to each of the plates.The fine printing and special quarter binding make t his a 'must-have' Christmas purchase. First published November 2006. ...Show more

New Zealand Shells and Shell Fish - Collecting: Eating by Glen Pownall

$12.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: good-very good

Early New Zealand Botanical Art by F. Bruce Sampson

$65.00 NZD

Category: New Zealand | Reading Level: good-very good

Mushrooms and Toadstools in New Zealand by Marie Taylor

$20.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: good-very good

Birds of Aotearoa : A natural and cultural history by Margaret Orbell

$45.00 NZD

Category: Maud’s Picks | Reading Level: very good

To Maori, as in all traditional societies, birds have been a constant source of ideas and metaphors because of their power of flight, their songs, their beauty, and the great variation in their appearance and behaviour. The calls of some birds are believed to convey a message to listening humans, either a warning or a reassurance, and the feathers of many kinds of birds were greatly valued for their beauty, all the more so when they were rare or difficult to obtain. In Birds of Aotearoa, Margaret Orbell describes the early relationship existing in New Zealand between Maori and the extraordinary birds they found here. She provides scientific information, recounts traditions explaining the birds origins and natures, quotes from songs that they appear in, and shows us some of the beautiful items used by Maori that are prompted by the birds' existence. Birds of Aotearoa Margaret Orbell In this book, Margaret Orbell explores the representation of over 60 birds in Maoritanga. To Maori, as in all traditional societies, birds have been a constant source of ideas and metaphors because of their power of flight, their songs, their beauty, and the great variation in their appearance and behaviour. The call of some birds often small ones such as the fernbird or the grey warbler or riroriro, the robin or pitoitoi, the marsh crake or were believed to convey a message to listening humans, either a warning or a reassurance. The feathers of many kinds of birds were greatly valued for their beauty, all the more so when they were rare or difficult to obtain. Plumes of the huia, the white heron or kotuku, the albatross or toroa, and the gannet or takapu were especially treasured, being worn in the hair by people of rank. During the early nineteenth century feather cloaks were, it seems, seldom worn. Later again, in the last decades of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth, feather cloaks, or kahu huruhuru, became newly popular, and soon were treasured heirlooms. Since sculpted figures possessed a life of their own, they too were adorned with plumes. Ancestral figures, whether in the palisades of a pa or forming part of the houses and tombs of rangatira, were hung with bunches and garlands of feathers; so too were the ancestral figures that formed part of the prow, sternpost and top strakes of large vessels. The carved heads of taiaha the weapons of rangatira had red feathers elaborately fastened around them. Many other treasured possessions were decorated with carefully chosen plumes. Format: 244 x 255 mm, portrait, b/w photographs and line drawings throughout 4 sections of 8 pages of colour First published 2003. Shortlisted for the 2004 NZ Montana Book awards, Environment section.   ...Show more

Forever the Forest by Neville Peat

$15.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: very good

This book presents an examination of the flora and fauna, and the history and geography of the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. It pays particular attention to the forest area, which is the country's largest expanse of native forest.

Ferns of New Zealand by Susan Firth, Martyn Firth and Elizabeth Firth

$25.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: very good

The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand by Barrie Heather and Hugh Robertson

$25.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: very good

Fishes of the New Zealand Region by Wade Doak

$25.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: very good

Red-eyed Tree Frog by Cowley Joy

$10.00 NZD

Category: Picture Books | Reading Level: very good

Look at nature with a whole new set of eyes! This book is an exciting new way to see the natural world. Join the adventure as one plucky red-eyed tree frog searches for something to eat - and avoids the many dangers of the rain forest. There are tempting but poisonous caterpillars and hungry boa snakes ready to swallow little tree frogs! ...Show more

Living with the Climate Crisis: Voices from Aotearoa (BWB Texts) by Tom Doig (editor)

$8.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Series: BWB Texts | Reading Level: near fine

If much of the world can work together to beat a deadly pandemic, imagine what might happen if we turned our collective energy to tackling the climate crisis. The devastating summer of Australian bush fi res underlined the terrifying sense of a world pushed to the brink. Then came Covid-19, and with it another dramatic shift. Fears have been raised that the all-consuming e ort to control the pandemic will distract us from the long-term challenge of limiting catastrophic climate change. At the same time, many people are hoping for a post-pandemic ‘new normal’: a cleaner, greener, fairer and safer world. This BWB Text brings together researchers, commentators, activists and writers to bear witness to the current crisis. What life-changing events have they experienced as individuals deeply engaged in climate issues? What are people fearing and hoping for in the uncertain years to come? About the editor Tom Doig is an author, academic and journalist. He is the author of three nonfi ction books, has a PhD in Literary Journalism from Monash University (Melbourne) and currently teaches creative writing at Massey University, Palmerston North. ...Show more

Collins Guide to the Mammals Of New Zealand by Mike Daniel and Alan Baker

$20.00 NZD

Category: Natural History | Reading Level: very good