After a successful voyage through New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands, National Geographic Orion motored into the inviting sub-tropical port in Tauranga. An adventurous group of paddlers slipped into colorful kayaks for an exploration of Lake Rotoiti. Endemic dabchicks dove into the murky depths, while vibrant New Zealand shelducks escorted their ducklings into the thick vegetation.
Our local guide, Lucy, explained that the deep waters of the lake had once been an explosive volcanic caldera, with geothermal pools reminding us of this violent past. While we sat under the crimson flowers of a northern rata tree, we eased our kayaks into the aperture of a small cavern. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, bright lights appeared upon the cavern’s ceiling. This spectacle is the creation of a unique fungus gnat, known as a glow worm. The adult gnat does not feed, though it’s predatory larval phase most certainly does. The worm-like larva creates sticky threads which it suspends from the roof of humid caverns. Bioluminescent bacteria illuminate the minute filaments in order to attract unsuspecting victims. The result is a cavern full of light, which left us in awe of New Zealand’s unique biological treasures.
