Exploring "Middle Earth"

Canopy of lichens


Botanical Paradise

Giants of the wetlands

We explore these beautiful world wonders - and learn how rainforest plants, are a little like humans societies, they need food, protection,  variety of skills to compete, and strive to thrive.

Walks
Walks help us experience these wilderness marvels. We quickly see how the different plants compete yet depending on each other. 

We are able to explore the soils, the rills, the fungi, lichens mosses, ferns, vines the larger trees shrubs and sounds. 

In addition to river flats and valley floors we find these giants standing proud in swamps, beside violent oceans, clinging to steep mountains and engulfing deserted human settlements.

We find rainforests meeting beaches, where all the plants cooperate to protect themselves from the frequent lashings of the salt laden ocean storms.

Mountain Beech Forests
This amazing ancient species thrived competing for a hundred million years. Their special mountain preference has forced enormous environmental changes since the dinosaurs roamed among them 100+ million years ago.

Podocarp Rainforests
After more than a 100 million years these rare dinosaur rainforests thrive in their special environment.  We can observe each plant's interdependence and competition among the huge variety of life forms that share these amazing lands. MORE

Forests for industry
Trees introduced from other lands are prolific and fast growing.  Radiata Pines planted on unproductive land are now highly productive for timber. They bring with them conservation issues and we explore these.

Introduced pests
Virulent and versatile modern species of plants and animals introduced a just a few generations ago are now threatening to displace the less aggressive native flora and fauna.  We learn how a massive human effort is now in place to maintain these unique natural treasures.

Studies
Depending on interests, we can explore microclimates and the incredible ancient species including plants, birds and insects of the forests.  We see how native life relies on these forests to survive. 

In the process we become aware of the reliance humans have for these and we discover the reasons why New Zealand rainforests are unique in the world.

VIDEO

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