The country is most notable for its geographic isolation, it is situated more than 1250 miles southeast of Australia on the other side of the Tasman Sea. During its history of isolation, they island of New Zealand developed a distinct fauna most distinguished by the several species of birds found only on these islands.

New Zealand served as the final refuge for several species of wildlife descended from the great breeds of Gondwanan, the worlds first and last supercontinent. About 80% of New Zealands fauna is endemic, found nowhere else but this island country. New Zealand has suffered a high rate of extinctions, including the moa, the huia, laughing owl and flightless wrens, which occupied the roles elsewhere occupied by mice.

Notably, New Zealand has led the world in island restoration projects, where offshore islands are cleared of introduced mammalian pests and native species are reintroduced.