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Story: Wetland birds

Wetland in pre-human times

This artist’s reconstruction of Pāuatahanui Inlet, north of Wellington, shows the diversity of wetland species present before humans reached New Zealand.

Using this item

Canterbury University Press

Reference: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Flight of the huia: ecology and conservation of New Zealand’s frogs, reptiles, birds and mammals. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press, 2004, plate 3

by Pauline Morse

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Wetland birds – Wetlands and their birds, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/14331/wetland-in-pre-human-times (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.