New Zealand is an extraordinary place for birds. Less than 1000 years ago, it had no land mammals (except bats) so a huge variety of birds dominated the landscape. These birds were mostly endemic, and today, many have been hunted to extinction. Others survive because they live on surrounding islands, which have acted as a sanctuary.

Stewart Island is one of the few places today where the dawn chorus of early New Zealand can still be heard. One bird that would be dominant in that chorus would be the Tui, which still sings there, and is one of the only endemic birds that has successfully survived human invasion.

They are noisy, busy birds, but in their quieter moments, burst into beautiful song. Often described as the "nightingales of New Zealand", the tui bird has enchanted many ornithologists.

These aggressive honey eaters are also known as the parson bird, because of the white feathers under their chin, which look like a dog collar. Despite the fact they are noisy and brash, a bit like the British magpie, the tui bird is a favourite among the New Zealand population, with many people planting particular shrubs to try and entice them into their gardens.