A canopy of kamahi is pierced by majestic rimu and miro . Lianes and lush fern growth adorn the bush interior. The forest is a haven for bird-life, as there are fewer predators than on the mainland. Kaka , parakeets, tui , and bellbird give a wonderful dawn chorus in spring. New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi is found all round the Island.
Seabirds abound off-shore.
Albatross, petrels, cormorants, gulls and blue penguins are common. Rarer species like yellow-eye penguins are also seen often. Mason Bay , on the Island's West Coast is much different. It's a 12 mile crescent of sandy beach, with huge sand-hills and tussock and scrub in place of forest. This is the place to watch the white-horses charge ashore in a screaming westerly gale.