Why did the top fall off Mt Cook? Do male kākāpō ever get lonely? Why do sheep like to 'follow the leader'? Are there glaciers in the North Island? What did Māori use for chewing gum? Are there moose in Fiordland? . . . and why can't kiwis fly? Why Can't Kiwis Fly? is a succinct, quirky and informed collection of questions and answers about New Zealand's natural history. Crammed full of fascinating, fun and sometimes challenging facts, it's a lively, bite-sized introduction to our natural world.

A New Zealand Kiwi wants to fly. Many native creatures help in his quest. He discovers others are willing to help achieve his dream if he has the courage to share it and the determination not to give up.

"Long ago when the world was new the kiwi lived in the treetops with the other birds and played and sang all day long. But when a plague of insects threatens to destroy the forest mighty Tane calls upon the birds to save the precious trees. Who of all the birds will answer Tane's plea and what sacrifices will need to be made?"--Back cover. Suggested level: junior, primary.

This is the delightful story of Herb, a Kiwi bird who dreamed that he could fly. With the encouragement of his best friend Lola the ladybird, he embarks on a pilgrimage to learn how. With determination and self- belief he circumnavigates the globe, travelling as fast as Santa! Herb becomes an overnight sensation inspiring animals all over the world to dare to dream big!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Polly Evans was a woman with a mission. Before the traditional New Zealand male hung up his sheep shears for good, Polly wanted to see this vanishing species with her own eyes. Venturing into the land of giant kauri trees and smaller kiwi birds, she explores the country once inhabited by fierce Maori who carved their enemies’ bones into cutlery, bushwhacking pioneers, and gold miners who lit their pipes with banknotes—and comes face-to-face with their surprisingly tame descendants. So what had become of the mighty Kiwi warrior? As Polly tears through the countryside at seventy-five miles an hour, she attempts to solve this mystery while pub-crawling in Hokitika, scaling the Southern Alps, and enduring a hair-raising stay in a mining town where the earth has been known to swallow houses whole. And as she chronicles the thrills and travails of her extraordinary odyssey, Polly’s search for the elusive Kiwi comes full circle—teaching her some hilarious and surprising lessons about motorcycles, modern civilization, and men.

To Charlie’s classmates, it seems like the kiwi bird got a raw deal: It barely has wings at all, so it can’t fly, and its long whiskers are more like a cat’s. How can such an unlucky bird even survive in the wild? But Charlie thinks the kiwi is cool, and with the help of his great-great-great-great-great-grandpa Charles Darwin, he travels back in time to learn how the kiwi evolved from a dinosaur-like creature to its present-day wingless state. Learning that “little changes in each generation can add up to BIG changes,” Charlie begins to understand that the kiwi bird’s flightless ways and catlike whiskers might be a bit odd, but they are exactly what has helped the species survive over thousands of years! Based on an exhibit from the New York Hall of Science that is currently touring the country, this Darwinian adventure through time explains the hugely important principle of evolution in an accessible, kid-friendly style.

Inspired by the first moon landing at the age of 10 in 1969, Jeremy Burfoot decided to become a pilot. He joined the RNZAF as a navigator at the age of 18 and was the navigator on the search for the Mt Erebus DC10 crash. He obtained his pilots licence privately while still in the RNZAF and then went to Papua New Guinea to fly for Talair PTY for a couple of years. He joined Qantas as a pilot in 1984 and was promoted to 747 Captain at the young age of 31. He took leave from Qantas in the 90s and flew 747s for Japan Airlines based in Anchorage, Alaska and Honolulu. He returned to Qantas and flew the 747-400 then the Airbus A380 before Covid 19 terminated his career in 2020. He has 23,000 hours of flying experience. He currently flies a paraglider to get back in the air when he feels the need. This book has been written with the hope of inspiring young pilots to succeed in an aviation career. It includes tips for pilots and bonus chapters on the future of aviation, what makes a good pilot, flying the big jets and pilot health. In addition, it includes a bonus chapter on training by Captain Matt Gray, former head of Qantas training.