Natural History of New Zealand - Endemism

Endemism

New Zealand has a high number of endemic species:

• 80% of all vascular plants
• 70% of all native terrestrial and freshwater birds
• All bats
• All native amphibians
• All reptiles
• 90% of freshwater fish

Of New Zealand's estimated 20,000 fungi species, only about 4,500 are known. New Zealand also has two sub-species of endemic cetaceans, Hector's Dolphin and its close relative Maui's Dolphin.