Summer Series 2013

Whether you're at the beach, in the bach, on the boat or by the barbecue, summer holiday fun hinges on knowing when conditions outside will be favourable and not-so-favourable for the activities you have in mind.

The mako shark is fast and fascinating. The shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, has been recorded swimming at speeds of about 100km/h.

Our freshwater fauna are wonderfully diverse and, according to NIWA Freshwater Ecologist Dr Richard Storey, there's nothing among them that we need to be afraid of.