Bats

Bats are New Zealand's only native land mammals.

There are three species: the long-tailed bat, the lesser short-tailed bat, and greater short-tailed bat.

Greater short-tailed bats are thought to be extinct, while long-tailed bats and short-tailed bats are classed as threatened. They are in danger of extinction in the medium term if nothing is done to reverse their population declines. Therefore, these species are a high priority for conservation. 

In proverb, the Maori refer to bats as pekapeka and associate them with the mythical, night-flying bird, hokioi, which foretells death or disaster.