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Synopsis

For 80 million years, Moa's Ark was mammal free. Then, in the last 1000 years, humans arrived from Polynesia and Europe, and as Bellamy discovers, changed these islands in a manner and at a rate unparalleled in the peopling of this planet. Bellamy channels Indiana Jones and hangs from old man's beard vines to assess the impact. Features footage of a beautiful dawn chorus; of the nocturnal kakapo (the world's largest, rarest parrot) and kiwi; cave drawings of the moa-hunters; Māori harakeke weaving and kai moana hangi with Tipene O'Regan.

Background

A Series perspective by Paul Stanley Ward 17.11.2008

The billboards hawking Aotearoa to international visitors sell the experience and environment as ‘100% Pure'. But why is New Zealand's landscape and flora and fauna so unique? Renowned English naturalist David Bellamy, with his ...

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Credits (6)

 Peter Hayden
 Michael Stedman
 Peter Simkins

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Englishman David Bellamy is a world famous botanist, author, broadcaster and conservationist. He came to prominence in New Zealand in the 1970s and 1980s with numerous natural history programmes. His trademark beard...