Caring for Kahurangi

Caring for Kahurangi is the story of one of the most successful community-led conservation projects in New Zealand. Imagine a place where whio whistle in every creek, where the soul-touching call of roroa, the great spotted kiwi, rends the night, where elusive forest ringlet butterflies flit in sunlit glades and diminutive 'giant' wētā trundle through the tussock. This is the Flora, rugged country beneath the marble peaks of the Wharepapa/ Arthur Range on the eastern edge of Kahurangi National Park.

For the last 25 years, the volunteer group Friends of Flora has been pursuing this vision. Here they have been trapping predators, translocating birds, surveying and monitoring, determined to restore this special place.

Beautifully illustrated with Ruedi Mosimann's photographs, Caring for Kahurangi describes the journey of Friends of Flora, weaving tales of volunteer adventures, rigorous science and magical encounters into an inspiring story of what can be achieved with great commitment, drive and friendship.