Fauna
The northern side of the plateau especially is home to wildlife including birds such as the North Island kokako wattlebird (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni), New Zealand Kaka, and large populations of brown kiwi (Apteryx australis) and blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos). The area to the south of the plateau and down to Wellington is home to a variety of lizards including Whitaker's skink (Cyclodina whitakeri), forest gecko (Hoplodactylus granulatus) and Wellington green gecko (Naultinus elegens punctatus). Wetlands throughout the region support waterbirds and fish including the endemic brown mudfish.
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