Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research's video: Discover what lies behind the doors of NZ s largest land invertebrate collection

Hidden away in The New Zealand Arthropod Collection | Ko te Aitanga Pepeke o Aotearoa lie 7 million carefully preserved insects, spiders and other land invertebrate specimens. It is home to the largest collection of New Zealand land invertebrates in the world and contains specimens collected over 100 years ago to the present day. It is used by scientists from all over the world to answer a huge range of research questions. New Zealand’s invertebrate fauna is unique: 80% of species are found no-where else on the planet. Not only does the NZAC provide an insight into invertebrate biodiversity today, but it also provides a window to the past. The collection makes important contributions to conservation by identifying threatened species, helping us to understand changes in their distribution and abundance and telling us about their habitat requirements. Join Sarah Tassell, Collection Manager, as she shows you a range of pinned specimens inside the drawers of our specially built facility.