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Wild Life

An Animal History of Aotearoa
Series: The NZ Series
Brief Description
Award-winning author Philippa Werry brilliantly tells the New Zealand story from the viewpoint of the animals, birds and insects that live here or once did. How and when did they get here? How did they survive and thrive (or not)? In what ways did they adapt... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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-Β Not a natural history book, but a history of NZ nature! -Β Richly illustrated with explanatory graphics, fact boxes -Β Ninth in The NZ Series, for a general readership and students - Teacher resource available -Β 

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Award-winning author Philippa Werry brilliantly tells the New Zealand story from the viewpoint of the animals, birds and insects that live here or once did.

How and when did they get here? How did they survive and thrive (or not)? In what ways did they adapt to or change the environment? And what is their future in the time of climate change and growing strains on nature?

Philippa takes the story back to Gondwanaland, looking at evolution over the eons until humans reached Aotearoa. Change has accelerated since then, and the book covers everything from introduced pest, livestock and domestic pets to conservation, zoos and animal celebrities like Opo the Dolphin.

This colourful ninth book in The NZ Series follows The Treaty of Waitangi, winner of the 2025 Margaret Mahy Supreme Book of the Year at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Series: The NZ Series

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  • The Treaty of Waitangi
    The story of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi is one of the greatest in New Zealand history. It marks the moment British and Māori history intersected and a new nation was formed. In The Treaty of Waitangi, Ross Calman outlines the impact of the Treaty from early contact between Māori and European settlers and signing around the country...
    Paperback
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  • Wild Life
    Award-winning author Philippa Werry brilliantly tells the New Zealand story from the viewpoint of the animals, birds and insects that live here or once did. How and when did they get here? How did they survive and thrive (or not)? In what ways did they adapt to or change the environment? And what is their future in the time of...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781990042980

Publisher: Oratia Media

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 February 2026

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: Oratia Books

Illustration: Colour photographs and tables throughout

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 160.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 100

About the Author

Philippa Werry has won various awards for her books, including the Young Adult Fiction Award at the 2023 NZCYA Awards for her novel Iris and Me. She is known for books on New Zealand society, including The NZ Series title New Zealand Migration (2023). She lives in Wellington (philippawerry.co.nz).

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