> Skip to content
  • Published: 31 January 2011
  • ISBN: 9780143206170
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $49.95
Categories:

In Search of Ancient New Zealand



'In Search of Ancient New Zealand is terrific . . . richly and enticingly illustrated, detailed without being overwhelming, intelligent but understandable, always diverting, it deserves to be widely read.'
—Warren Judd, New Zealand Geographic
 
New Zealand is one of the most dynamic landscapes in the world. The evidence is everywhere: soaring mountains, fiery volcanoes, grand fiords, brawling rivers and spectacular lakes. Plants and animals known nowhere else in the world have evolved over millions of years in splendid isolation.
How did this happen? What processes brought about such momentous transformations? The bestselling In Search of Ancient New Zealand reveals startling new information about this country's natural history:
New Zealand is actually part of the 'lost' continent of Zealandia, a landmass almost half the size of Australia. Most of New Zealand's plants and animals are not remnants from Gondwanaland 83 million years ago but have arrived much more recently. Contrary to accepted theory, New Zealand may have been completely submerged under the sea 23 million years ago. If New Zealand was completely under water, where did the unique kiwi, kakapo, kokako and other special animals come from? A number of native land mammals used to dwell in New Zealand, whereas today there are only two species left – both bats. Why did these mammals disappear?
Co-written by geologist Dr Hamish Campbell and award-winning author Gerard Hutching, this revised edition updates recent developments in the Zealandia drowning controversy.
 
'[A] significant book . . . a valuable introduction to the history of New Zealand.'
—Howard Williams, Weekend Press

  • Published: 31 January 2011
  • ISBN: 9780143206170
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $49.95
Categories:

About the authors

Hamish Campbell

Dr Hamish Campbell is a senior scientist with GNS Science. He began his professional career as a palaeontologist with the New Zealand Geological Survey in 1978, and has specialist interests in Permian, Triassic and Jurassic fossils. Campbell is best known for his geological research in the Chatham Islands, his role as geologist and science communicator at Te Papa, and his bestselling 2007 book In Search of Ancient New Zealand (co-authored with Gerard Hutching). He lives in Wellington.

Gerard Hutching

Gerard Hutching is a former editor of Forest & Bird magazine, and the author of the best-selling books The Natural World of New Zealand, Back from the Brink and In Search of Ancient New Zealand (with Hamish Campbell), all published by Penguin. Hutching has written for the website Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand (www.teara.govt.nz) and was also a contributing writer to the guide book Eyewitness Travel: New Zealand. He is married with three children and lives in Wellington.