Nicola Toki

The Horrid Stick Insect is a member of the phasmatidae family, which contains some of the largest insects in existence, some being up to 30cm long Audio

DoC's Threatened Species ambassador, Nicola Toki introduces us to a new critter of the week - the native New Zealand sandfly. Audio

This week's critter is the exceptionally rare nocturnal Whittakers Skink, which can live 10 times longer than most tropical lizards. Audio

This is one of Nicola Toki's favourite critters as you can see! DoC's threatened species ambassador tells us all about this giant weta, Deinacrida heteracantha ('terrible grasshopper').  Audio

We kick off Critter of the Week 2019 with a Zombie-like cicada killing fungus. Audio

In our final Critter of the week for 2018 we bring you the Amelotopsis mayfly! Audio, Gallery

The Alborn Skink. Discovered in the 1990s by famous herpetologist Anthony Whitaker (who died in 2014), in among other emerging research about skinks.  Audio

The brightly coloured Notoreas Moth is endemic to New Zealand and flies around during the day. DoC's threatened species ambassador, Nicola Toki tells us all about it. Audio

They might be called mudfish but are often found buried in the ground as they can survive out of the water! DoC's threatened species ambassador tells us all about this native fish. Audio

This fresh water snail is endemic to NZ. In fact it's endemic to the Maitai Cave in Maitai Valley in Nelson. Audio

Pill millipedes are shorter and wider than other millipedes - living in the soil/leaf litter, they don't travel above or below it, but instead bulldoze through it with their robust bodies! Audio, Gallery

Most species of fungi live as independent organisms, but some are 'lichenised' and most of these cannot survive independently of a partner, such as an alga or blue/green alga (cyanobacterium).  Audio, Gallery

Featured on the $5 bank note, the distinctive yellow head-band and eyes of the hoiho make it one of our better known birds. Audio

We were incredibly impressed by all of the entries in the inaugural Critter of the Week Bake-off and judging was very difficult. However there can only be one winner, and it is... Jasmin Hollister and… Audio, Gallery

Until recently, it was believed that the pygmy blue whales seen in the South Taranaki Bight were just animals passing through the area.  Audio, Gallery

The Banks Peninsula fork fern - Tmesipteris horomaka - is a bit distant from what might ordinarily come to mind when we think of ferns.  Audio

In rich, healthy 'litter-layers' on forest floors all over New Zealand, our critter this week is busy doing its thing - but you'd hardly know! DOC's Threatened Species Ambassador, Nicola Toki, shines… Audio

Ghost moths aren't scary, but they are a little strange. They have no mouth so they never eat and some only live for one day!  Audio

There's been a significant increase in the number of physical threats and abuse towards Department of Conservation staff following a recent spike in anti-1080 protests. The escalation is being put… Audio

Announcing our inaugural Critter of the Week Bake-Off! A chance to put your baking skills to work to create cakes in the shapes of some of our fantastic and unusual endangered critters Video