Contents

COVER : It is not only humans who welcome the Christmas blossoms of the pohutukawa. On Little Barrier Island - one of New Zealand’s most important wildlife sanctuaries - birds squabble over the nectar from the flowers by day, but by night lizards, such as this Pacific gecko, enjoy a quieter feed.
CONTENTS - Features :
HAUTURU : RESTING PLACE OF THE WIND [Little Barrier Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, has been called the most important gecko island in the world in recognition of the wide range of rare or endangered species which inhabits its rugged forests];
THE LIFE PATROL [At wild Piha beach, west of Auckland, life-savers rescue some 200 swimmers and anglers from the surf each year];
PROBING THE DEEP [Travel about the research vessel Tangaroa as a team of scientists explorers life on the floor of the open ocean to the east of New Zealand];
SILENCE OF THE FANTAILS [The nimble and amiable fantail may be one of our most abundant native brds, but most fantail chicks are destined to be killed by rats];
THE HARD ROAD [The road to Milford Sound via the Homer Tunnel was almost 20 years in the making, and it is still the most demanding road in the land to keep open and safe. The mountains that make the route so scenic are a breeding ground for huge snow avalanches];
CONTENTS - Departments :
GEONEWS [beneath the Southern Alps]; WEATHER [making tracks]; AT THE MUSEUM [The rogue’s return]; BOOKS [New Zealanders, Antarctica, Penguins]; COMING UP [What’s in store];