Our Islands Our Selves
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A History of Conservation in New Zealand identifies the issues, personalities and organisations surrounding conservation over the past 200 years. It includes significant discussion on the cultural influences of Maori and European views of nature. In this first-ever history of conservation in New Zealand, David Young explores the evolution of a conservation ethic.

While the basis for conservation is the recognition of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna, Young contends that conservation in New Zealand is not just a need to protect this indigenous biodiversity. Conservation is also linked to a sense of identity and community.

Modern New Zealand has evolved from a 'quarry economy' to a modern society grappling with erosion and flooding issues, predator proliferation, and habitat and species loss. As the concerns of the nation have shifted, the approaches to conservation have also changed: from acclimatisation of exotic species to national parks, the development of island sanctuaries and, now, an ecological approach that protects relationships as well as specific flora and fauna.

Young's work illustrates how far our perceptions and actions have come, how often the country got it wrong, and what might still need to done to protect New Zealand's natural environment.                                   

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Published by Otago University Press, 2004 in association with the Department of Conservation and Ministry for Culture andHeritage.       http://www.otago.ac.nz    
ISBN 1877276 94 4  I  ISBN-13978-187727694    

​WHIO
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Saving New Zealand's Endangered Blue Duck 

​The blue duck is a beautiful torrent duck that once lived on clear, fast-flowing rivers throughout  most of the country. It belongs to a 'second tier' of endangered species whose numbers have dropped alarmingly in the last 15 years prior to publication.

Whio tells the story of how a dedicated group of scientists, field workers and volunteers have set about saving the blue duck, and combines a natural history of the bird with an illustrated history of human interaction, as well as a social history of the blue duck then and now.
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Illustrated with custom-built superb colour photographs from some of New Zealand's leading wildlife photographers, this is an inspiring, delightful book.   ​

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Published by Craig Potton, Nelson 2006 in association with Genesis Energy, Forest and Bird and The Central North Island Blue Duck Trust.     ISBN  978 1 877333 46 0