Please note that as of January 2019, the Guides feature is presented "as is"; while we don’t have any plans to delete it, we don’t plan to develop it any further.

Welcome to iNaturalist NZ Guides!

Guides help you learn about biodiversity all around the world. Whether you're exploring the Serengeti or just your local park (which might be the Serengeti), Guides can help you make sense of our planet's stunning diversity of life.

Harakeke - Flax of NZ

Showcasing the different harakeke that grow in NZ.

Edited by tangatawhenua

Octopus of New Zealand

Click on the main body colour of the octopus you are trying to identify then go to that page for further information. This is for the first two listed as they cause the most confusion.

Edited by tangatawhenua and wmblom

Plants of New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands

The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands comprise the five southernmost groups of the New Zealand outlying islands. They include Snares Islands (Tini Heke), Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island.

Edited by kimberleycollins

A Guide to iNaturalist guides

What guides are and how to create useful ones.

Edited by tony_wills

Orchids of Northland NZ

Showcasing the different orchids of Northland

Edited by tangatawhenua

Bracket Fungi NZ

A pictorial guide to bracket fungi found in NZ

Edited by tangatawhenua

Turtles and Tortoises of New Zealand

Edited by calebcam

Sponges Of New Zealand

Showcasing sponges found around New Zealand. The pages are sorted from very common to rare. The names with * are found in the intertidal zone.

Edited by tangatawhenua

21.06.2017 Mana college's guide to Flora and Fauna of ZEALANDIA

List of species observed by Mana College at ZEALANDIA on the 21st of June.

Edited by manacollege

Lepidoptera of the Coromandel Peninsula

This guide aims to illustrate the diverse range of lepidoptera to be found across the Coromandel - for the most part typical of the Northern North Island fauna.The Coromandel Ecological Region is a peninsula, bounded by sea to the North, West and the East. It is divided into ecological districts ...

Edited by tony_steer

Using NatureWatch in Schools

"Why don't you use NatureWatch?" they said. "It'll be fun!" they said. "Kids always behave better when they can get outside," they said. "Everyone will learn something, even you," they said. So you learnt that when you sent 30 kids outside with the class iPads to photograph animals and plan...

Edited by marystg

Brown Algae Seaweeds of New Zealand

A pictorial guide showcasing the common brown seaweeds found around the coast of New Zealand

Edited by tangatawhenua

Tricky Triplefins of NZ

Triplefins abound in the intertidal zone so this is a pictorial guide that showcases the different species that we have.

Edited by tangatawhenua

Jellyfish of New Zealand

Jellyfish and relatives found around New Zealand's coasts.

Edited by tony_wills

Chitons of New Zealand

Chitons in NZ and its EEZ, based on www.molluscs.otago.ac.nz/poly.html. See www.ucd.ie/cobid/chitons/glossary.html for diagrams.

Edited by tony_wills

Beach Barnacles Of New Zealand

A guide to the barnacles found around the rocks of New Zealand beaches as well as information on which part of the intertidal they are found.

Edited by tangatawhenua

Lovely Limpets of NZ

This guide showcases the limpets that are found around the intertidal zone of New Zealand.

Edited by tangatawhenua

Damselflies in New Zealand

A guide to the Damselflies found in New Zealand.

Edited by tony_wills

Intertidal Zone - Rockpool Life NZ

This guide contains what is often found in the rockpools and crevices exposed after the high tide including crabs, shellfish, starfish, fish, seaweeds, chitons, limpets and other creatures.

Edited by tangatawhenua

Getting Good Photos For Identification

There are many plants and creatures that need photos of certain parts to help with ID. So to avoid the dissapointment of not being able to get an id for that amazing plant or creature you found because you did not photograph the correct part, follow this guide to get the photos you need :) I...

Edited by tangatawhenua

Scatology for New Zealand

Examples of animal scat (including poo and regurgitated pellets) to help identify what species has 'passed' this way. A good resource: http://www.pestdetective.org.nz/clues/droppings/

Edited by tony_wills

Birds of Polhill Reserve

Polhill Reserve is a number of regenerating bush reserves within the halo around Zealandia - Karori Sanctuary.

Edited by parkecology, paul_ward, and bernardsmith

Mussels of New Zealand

The various shell fish found in the wild around New Zealand which are know as "mussels".

Edited by tony_wills

Paua

Guide to the Paua (Abalone) species found in New Zealand.

Edited by tony_wills

Shags and Cormorants of New Zealand

A guide to the shag species (also known as cormorants) found in New Zealand. One third of the cormorant species known worldwide, are found in New Zealand..

Edited by tony_wills

Butterflies of New Zealand

Butterflies native and introduced, found in the wild in New Zealand. Note: the classifications of NZ copper butterflies is currently being revised, and the old names here may no longer be relevant.

Edited by tony_wills

Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand

A guide to the reptiles currently found in New Zealand in the wild, most are native species, but there is the odd one that is introduced. There are about 43 endemic geckos and about 50 skinks, not all are included here yet. Also there is a sea snake and marine turtles that visit.

Edited by tony_wills

Introduced Birds of New Zealand

A guide to the bird species that were brought to New Zealand and accidentally or purposefully liberated and have formed self sustaining populations. This list is based on the list of "Introduced and Naturailsed" birds from DOC publication "NZ threat classification series 4, Conservation status...

Edited by tony_wills

Pest animals in New Zealand

A guide to animal pests in New Zealand. This guide is restricted to introduced animals that are wild or feral and doesn't include pesky native critters. See also http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/animal-pests-a-z/

Edited by tony_wills

Wildlife of Zealandia

A guide to the mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, insects and other creepy crawlies commonly found in Zealandia - Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington, New Zealand.

Edited by tony_wills

Funding for the development of Guides was provided by