British conservationist, photographer and presenter, Mark
Carwardine's story about his visit to New Zealand to see the
'Small 5' recently featured in the UK's Telegraph. Read his story here.
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25 November 2011 - British
conservationist, photographer and presenter, Mark Carwardine, is
once again in New Zealand undertaking a whistle-stop tour of some
of the best wildlife attractions the country has to offer.
Well-known for inspiring the sexual advances of another
conservation hero - Sirocco the Kakapo - Carwardine is here to put
New Zealand on the map as a wildlife destination for tourists
coming from the UK.
"People in the UK see New Zealand as a great place for tramping or
adventure-sports, but many are unaware of it's potential as a place
to experience some of the world's most unique and interesting
species," says Carwardine.
His visit will highlight our 'Small 5' (as opposed to Africa's
'Big 5') - species that tourists can expect to see on a two-week
visit - Hector's dolphins, tuatara, kiwi, kea and yellow-eyed
penguins/hoiho.
Mark Carwardine's trip to and around New Zealand comes courtesy of
Tourism New Zealand and Discover the World, with the support of a
number of regional and local tourism operators.
"New Zealand's wildlife and nature experiences contribute to the
foundation of our strong international brand positioning," says
Tourism New Zealand's Catherine Bates GM Brand and International
PR.
"Having Mark will help to showcase how easily people can interact
with our stunning natural environment."
Carwardine's tour starts by looking at tuatara on Tiritiri Matangi
Island, out in the Hauraki Gulf followed by Muriwai Gannet Colony
and then drops down to the South Island where he visits Hector's
dolphins in Akaroa, kea in Arthur's Pass, Fiordland crested
penguins at Lake Moeraki, kiwi on Stewart Island and yellow-eyed
penguins near Dunedin.