What wildlife can I see in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand?

With black beech forests ringing with birdsong and waters splashed by seals, dolphins and penguins, Abel Tasman National Park is also a delight for wildlife lovers. A major ecological restoration programme, called Project Janszoon, aims to return the park to its pre-colonial state.

A loud 'coo-eet' call at dawn or dusk might be the first indication that a weka is nearing your campsite – where this inquisitive, flightless bird may decide to check out your picnic. Once common in the park, weka disappeared decades ago but were reintroduced in 2006.

Colonies of this lithe marine mammal breed on islands in the park, notably Tonga Island – now a protected marine reserve, where landing is by permit only. Paddle your kayak around the island to see seals swimming or hauling out on the rocky shore.

Find a quiet beach as night falls and you may see little blue penguins, Eudyptula minor (Māori name: ‘kororā’). You’ll almost certainly spot South Island pied oystercatchers, Haematopus finschi, and variable oystercatchers, Haematopus unicolor, probing the wet sand. In the forests, listen for the otherworldly whistles of tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae.