Help identifying an animal, a plant, or a fossil Te āwhina hei tautohu i tētahi mea
Identify an animal, a plant, or a fossil you’ve found in New Zealand – being careful not to handle protected species. Here you’ll find links to useful identification resources and details on how to ask our science experts for help.
Most of New Zealand’s animals (even dead ones) are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953 and must not be held without a permit. Additionally, some fossils and plants found on protected sites, such as Department of Conservation reserves, must not be removed.
Please don’t send a specimen to Te Papa before discussing it with us first. If you have a specimen to donate to us in a manner compliant with the Act, please contact us with the details outlined in the relevant section below.
wētālarge insect found in caves and treesMāori | noun, are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953 and must not be held without a permit. If in doubt, take a photograph and write a description, leaving the bug undisturbed.
To identify a bug, first try these useful resources:
Almost all of New Zealand’s native birds (even dead ones) are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953 and must not be held without a permit. If in doubt, take a photograph and write a description, leaving the bird undisturbed.
Is the bird banded?
Read our banded bird pages to report banded birds to the Department of Conservation. It may provide you with the history of the banded bird and will appreciate the information you supply.
Identification
To identify a bird, first try these useful resources:
(if you didn’t collect the bird) the name and contact details of the collector.
To ensure the best use of a dead bird you’ve found, contact Te Papa or the Department of Conservation as soon as possible. Please don’t send us the bird unless we request it. To temporarily preserve a dead bird, place it in a plastic bag and freeze it.
Some fish species are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953 and must not be caught without a permit. Harvesting unprotected marine species may still be restricted or prohibited under the Fisheries Act 1996.
a detailed description of the fish, including measurements
one or more photographs of the fish, if possible
information about where you caught or found the fish:
location
depth
date
method of capture
your name and contact details
(if you didn’t collect the fish) the name and contact details of the collector
Contact us as soon as possible to ensure the best use of any dead fish found or caught. To temporarily preserve a dead fish, place it in a plastic bag and freeze it – take care not to bend the fins or tail. Please don’t send us the specimen unless we ask you to.
Some molluscs, such as giant land snails, are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953 and must not be held without a permit. If in doubt, take a photograph and write a description, leaving the mollusc undisturbed.
a detailed description of the mollusc, including measurements
one or more photographs of the mollusc, if possible
the location and date you found the mollusc
your name and contact details
(if you didn’t collect the mollusc) the name and contact details of the collector
To temporarily preserve a dead mollusc (not protected by the Wildlife Act), freeze it in a plastic bag with some water. Please don’t send us the specimen unless we ask you to.
Never pick a plant without permission from the landowner. You need a permit to pick plants from protected sites, such as Department of Conservation reserves. Some plants are protected and must not be held without a permit. If in doubt, take a photograph and write a description, leaving the plant undisturbed.
Identification
To identify a plant, first try these useful resources:
a detailed description of the plant, including measurements
one or more photographs of the plant, if possible
the location and date you found the plant
information about the habitat and other relevant details
your name and contact details
(if you didn’t collect the plant) the name and contact details of the collector
Please don’t send us the specimen unless we ask you to. To temporarily preserve an uprooted plant, seal it in a bag with a damp piece of paper towel and place it in your fridge.
Never take a fossil without permission from the landowner. Some fossil sites are on protected land where collecting is prohibited, such as Department of Conservation reserves. If in doubt, take a photograph and description, leaving the fossil undisturbed.