They nest in sedges backing mangrove swamps. The white heron is a cosmopolitan species. White-fronted terms are common around all our coasts. The protecded New Zealand fur seal is now common, particularly around the South Island coasts. Sperm whales can be viewed from boats at Kaikoura.
Pied shags are common in sheltered coastal waters.
They usually nest in Pohutukawa trees over hanging cliffs. Here's a site full of pictures and information about Mt Ruapehu - New Zealand's most active volcano. Climate and vegetation Lying in the south temperate zone, New Zealand's climate changes from being almost subtropical in the north to cool and temperate in the south, with a wet, mild climate in the west and a much drier, often almost continental, climate in the east. Most of the country has at least 2,000 hours sunshine each year and a high proportion of sunshine during the winter months. Mean annual rainfall ranges from less than 400mm in Central Otago to more than 12,000mm in the Southern Alps.