My Travel Backpack » New Zealand

The Splendour of New Zealand’s Wildlife

Mathieu — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:47:39 +0000

New Zealand, which broke away from the supercontinent of Gondwanaland some 80 million years ago, has evolved in isolation since the Paleocene era. This means, significantly, that it’s ecosystem developed entirely without the presence of mammals. Until, that is, the arrival of humans around 800 years ago. Consequently, New Zealand is considered a biological ‘safe haven’ from the ravages of land-dwelling carnivores, allowing birds to become flightless – not to mention fascinating – without fear of being hunted for food. Many of New Zealand’s species are considered ‘living fossils’.

Huge areas of verdant forest have supported a diverse assortment of birdlife in New Zealand. Since there were no predators from which to take flight, many bird species lost the ability to fly completely. A number of New Zealand’s most iconic birds evolved to become flightless, namely the kiwi, takahe, kakapo and the now-extinct moa. It was only when human beings arrived (with their attendant dogs, rats and other predatory mammals) that these birds faced any danger at all. The Moa was hunted to extinction, while the kiwi and kakapo and are now endangered.

The kiwi is, famously, New Zealand’s national symbol. Nocturnal and flightless, these timid creatures are very rarely seen in their natural habitat. Thankfully, they have been preserved extensively at zoos and wildlife parks.

The moa remains the only wingless bird known to fossil hunters. A number of flightless birds have evolved throughout pre-history – notably the emu and the ostriches – but they all retained some vestige of wings, however ineffectual. The moa is different. Before it was hunted to extinction by Maori settlers over 400 years ago, the moa was a true monument to New Zealand’s isolated evolution.

The tuatara is a unique animal. The only beak-headed reptile still living, it’s something of a link to the dinosaur age – a ‘living fossil’. Every other species of this family is thought to have perished with the Cretaceous period, some 65 million years ago. Once found throughout New Zealand, tuataras – which can live for as long as 100 years – are now only found on protected island reserves. 30,000 of them live on Stephens Island in the Marlborough Sounds – a figure which, mercifully, keeps them out of ‘endangered’ status.

If you’re interested in visiting New Zealand to witness at first hand the splendor and magnificence of its unique wildlife, check out the DialAFlight website where you’ll find reasonably priced flights to New Zealand.

MyTravelBackpack.com’s 2nd Photo Contest Winner!

Mathieu — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:09:26 +0000

MyTravelBackpack.com’s 2nd Photo Contest, sponsored by 100% Pure New Zealand, is over.Thanks for everyone who submitted pictures of the them and their backpack somewhere cool in New Zealand! Here are the finalists :

John Walking the Tongariro Crossing

Jeremy Enjoying an Amazing Scenery on the Routeburn Track

Mark and His Friend on Their Way to the Top

Martin Walking the Kepler Track

Heather Enjoying an Amazing Scenery in Nelson Lakes National Park

Karsten Napping in Whirinaki

Nick Walking in the Tararua’s

… and the winner is…

Ben Ridge

Heather Enjoying an Amazing Scenery in Nelson Lakes National Park

See full resolution picture here.

Ben wins a Kelty Tahoma daypack sponsored by 100% Pure New Zealand!!!

“On behalf of 100% Pure New Zealand, we’d thank everyone for participating in the MyTravelBackpack photo contest, and wish a congratulations to the winner, Ben with his fantastic Nelson Lakes National Park photo. The choice was a difficult one, as we received some gorgeous and masterfully shot photos, but in the end, Ben’s panoramic photo captured the sweeping beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes in a way that would make any backpacker want to get up and go. Enjoy the daypack, Ben. Here’s hoping that it’s part of many great photo-taking expeditions to come!” – Eric Hansen

Thanks everyone and keep submitting pictures to MyTravelBackpack.com! ; )

Nick Walking in the Tararua’s

Mathieu — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:11:15 +0000

“Nick (shown in photo, with his absolutely beautiful Macpac Torre – A genuine antique.) and I met in Nelson Lakes NP when I came to NZ to do some tramping. That trip changed me – From then on I knew that NZ would just keep calling me back. What an amazing place. Nick told me to ring him next time I was over, and I did. He organised a 2-day walk in his stomping ground – the Tararua’s. An amazing walk – quite different to the walks I did in the south island. (One thing was in common – rain!)
I’ll be back again though. I can feel it calling me!” – David

Backpack brand: Macpac
Backpack model and capacity: Cascade, 90L
The location where you took the picture: Tararua’s, New Zealand
Trip Length: 2 days
More pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_gwyther/

Thanks to David Gwyther, the photographer.
Should David win our New Zealand photo contest?

Karsten Napping in Whirinaki

Mathieu — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:53:07 +0000

“I had the pleasure of meeting some good friends in New Zealand last spring for four weeks of epic tramping around the North Island. I fell in love with the country, and it is by far the most beautiful place I have ever been. After a four day trip around the Tongariro Northern Circut, one of the group fell lame with a toe injury, which rendered a trip through Whirinaki impossible. I decided to rent my own vehicle for a few days and explore for myself, as I had heard from a hut warden at Mangetepopo that Whirinaki was not to be missed. And she was correct. I spend a quick two days in Whirinaki, in complete awe at the gigantic podocarp trees, and stunned by the songs of the birds which echoed through the grand cathedral. I met some possum hating locals, and some rain hating europeans. I even managed to go out at night to find some glow-worms, with great success. This picture encompasses everything that two days was for me. The sheer bliss of being in a lush, green, paradise…such a long way from home.” – Karsten

Backpack brand: ARC’TERYX
Backpack model and capacity: Bora 50, 50L
The location where you took the picture: Whirinaki Forest Park, North Island, New Zealand
Trip Length: In Whirinaki, 2. In New Zealand, 24.
More pictures at: http://www.karstosis.com

Thanks to Karsten Klawitter.
Should Karsten win our New Zealand photo contest?

Heather Enjoying an Amazing Scenery in Nelson Lakes National Park

Mathieu — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:29:05 +0000

See full resolution picture here.
“We quit our jobs to live and travel in New Zealand for 9 months. Mt. Angelus was one of the highlights.” – Ben

Backpack brand: REI
Backpack model and capacity: Venus
The location where you took the picture: Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand
Trip Length: 2 days trip, part of 9 months in New Zealand
More pictures at: http://www.wanderaround.com/

Thanks to Ben Ridge, the photographer.
Should Ben win our New Zealand photo contest?

Martin Walking the Kepler Track

Mathieu — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:25:45 +0000

“This was one of the hightlights of 5 months traveling through NZ. Awesome!” – Martin

Backpack brand: Jack Wolfskin
Backpack model and capacity: Agadir 2, 65+10l
The location where you took the picture: Kepler Track, Fiordlands, New Zealand
Trip Length: 4 days
More pictures at: http://nightflight.terminal-eins.de

Thanks to Martin Stratmann.
Should Mark win our New Zealand photo contest?

Mark and His Friend on Their Way to the Top

Mathieu — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:01:41 +0000

” Ball Pass is a classic 2-day transalpine tramp right under the towering icefalls of Mt Cook. Amazing views and hiking. Take an ice axe and crampons, and be prepared for a long, steep climb!” – Mark

Backpack brand: Cactus
Backpack model and capacity: Deepwinter (65l)
The location where you took the picture: Ball Pass, Mt Cook, New Zealand
Trip Length: 2 days
More pictures at: http://www.highlux.co.nz/

Thanks to Mark Watson.
Should Mark win our New Zealand photo contest?

Jeremy Enjoying an Amazing Scenery on the Routeburn Track

Mathieu — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:02:30 +0000

“The Routeburn track was an amazing hike. Day 1 we spent hiking up through the rainforest to Routeburn Flats and then on up to Routeburn Falls. It rained for most of the day but it cleared up right on sunset, an amazing rainbow appeared in the valley, the view from the falls was amazing. Day 2 we spent hiking up through the alpine meadows to Conical Hill, we then descended to down to Mackenzie Lake. Day 3 was a downhill trek to the end of the hike. All in all, a tough hike but amazingly beautiful, great views and scenery, would do it again in a flash.” – Jeremy

Backpack brand: Jeremy had a Macpac, the others had Kathmandu
Backpack model and capacity: Unknown model, 50L
The location where you took the picture: Harris Lake, Routeburn Track, South Island, New Zealand
Trip Length: The hike lasted 3 days but they were in New Zealand for 2 weeks.
More pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamjeremy/365763464/

Thanks to Jeremy Greive.
Should Jeremy win our New Zealand photo contest?

John Walking the Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand

Mathieu — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:13:11 +0000

“Five friend on an adventure through New Zealand. We decided to walk the Tongariro Crossing in what seemed like the worst possible weather, but it didn’t start out that way. 27 miles in a little over 24 hours. We screamed at the top of our lungs when the Skotel Hotel came into sight. Our feet were sore and our backs ached, but we didn’t care…we had made the crossing!” – John

Backpack brand: Kelty
Backpack model and capacity: Red Cloud 5600
The location where you took the picture: Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Trip Length: 15 days
More pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/relic

Thanks to John Mundy.
Should John win our New Zealand photo contest?

The Lost Girls Leaving New Zealand

Mathieu — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:23:13 +0000

“After suffering from an acute case of quarterlife burnout in New York City, best friends Holly Corbett, Jen Baggett and Amanda Pressner decided to chuck their boyfriends, apartments and steady media jobs to travel around the world for a year. They hit five continents and more than a dozen countries, and thanks to their PacSafes and some pretty sharp reflexes, managed to avoid having anything stolen during the journey! In this photo, taken on their last day in New Zealand, the girls are waiting for yet another airport shuttle (and mugging for the camera).” – Amanda

Name: Holly Corbett (left)
Backpack brand: EMS
Backpack model and capacity: Summit 4500 (4500 cubic inches)

Name: Amanda Pressner (middle)
Backpack brand: Snowgum (an Aussie brand)
Backpack model and capacity: Not sure! I bought mine second-hand from an Australian friend of mine for $75, and its probably about 4500 cubic inches.

Name: Jennifer Baggett (right)
Backpack brand: Kelty
Backpack model and capacity: Coyote Pack–Women’s, 4500 cubic inches

The location where you took the picture: Christchurch, New Zealand
Trip Length: One year
More info at: http://lostgirlsworld.blogspot.com

Thanks to Holly, Jennifer and particularly to Amanda!

Note from Mathieu: You really should take a look at their blog if you didn’t know these girls yet folks. They rock! I’m a big fan!