Mountainous, densely forested and bounded by cliffs and boulders,Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) crouches in the outer reaches of the Hauraki Gulf, a relic of a wild New Zealand now largely vanished. Set aside as a nature reserve over a century ago, the island houses a matchless cargo of wildlife inhabiting an unusual diversity of forest types.
Bulging eyes, cold, clammy skin, webbed feet and a capacious mouth—frogs may repulse us, but they also intrigue, and who hasn't marvelled at their summertime serenade under the stars? Yet around the world many of Kermit's kin are disappearing, and here in New Zealand frogs seem less common than they once were. Deputy editor Warren Judd investigates the state of the amphibious nation.
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