Into the Wild New Zealand

On the South Island of New Zealand, life begins anew for one of the region's most iconic animals: the little blue penguin. Every spring, these tiny travelers return to this area to breed, but not every nesting spot is created equally. Discover the remarkable courtship season of the little blues as we follow two male penguins on two very different paths. For Tybalt and his mate, Ivy, they're living the high life in a special home built by park rangers. For Curtis and Rose, they must carve out a spot in the mean streets of town.

The West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is one of the most remarkable and inaccessible regions on Earth, bookended by glacier-covered mountains and roaring seas. In between is a strip of almost untouched wilderness, a rare, ecological jewel that hides a host of animals found nowhere else on the planet. Join us as we spend a day exploring the beauty of this land and the trials and tribulations of the creatures that live here, from alpine parrots and forest geckos to mammal-like kiwis and ancient eels.

In New Zealand, there are two wild fortresses that protect the most vulnerable native animals of this island nation. One is the remote Little Barrier Island, an ancient volcanic cone guarded by a moat of saltwater. The other is Orokonui Ecosanctuary, a hilltop citadel that's barricaded from the outside world. Here, rare birds like the hihi and kokako, and ancient reptiles like the tuatara are rebounding from the brink of extinction, safe to live out their lives in some of the most intact prehistoric ecosystems in the world.

Two great ocean wanderers—the northern royal albatross and the New Zealand fur seal—are returning to the land of their birth. Their goal: to start the next generation. Over the next nine months, they must find a willing mate, give birth, and raise their young until they are able to fend for themselves in the enormous southern seas. Their mission is not an easy one: harsh terrain, fickle weather, and hungry predators will make life difficult for these two iconic species, and only the strongest will survive to carry on their legacies.

An up-close look at the insects and small creatures of New Zealand, including glowing worms and giant centipedes.