A New Life

[Njaco]

I was an Animal Control Officer for over 30 years. That doesn't scare me.

 

[mikewint]

Chris, NOTHING in the northern hemisphere will have prepared you to exist alongside of over 100 species of deadly poisonous snakes like the Coastal Taipan whose venom kills in less than 30 min, spiders that actually trap BIRDS rather than insects and 40 species of Funnel-Webs worse than the snakes, an untold number of water-living critters like your standard Sharks, Stingrays, poisonous Sea Snakes, Stonefish, blue-ringed octopus, box-jelly fish, the Irukandji jelly-fish the size of a match head, and of all things a SNAIL whose poison can kill a man...a friggin SNAIL. Then there are the insects like 40mm bull ants able to see over a meter armed with a poisonous (of course) sting. They will aggressively follow intruders and attack by jumping, the 16cm giant centipede (poisonous naturally), and the paralysis tick whose bite delivers saliva that paralyzes humans. Not to be left out a 2 meter tall flightless bird armed with a foot long razor sharp claw that can disembowel a man in one swipe.
Lots of work for your animal control pole!!

 

[Airframes]

And then there's the women !

 

[mikewint]

And then there's the women !

That's NEVER been unique to just Oz

 

[parsifal]

I am much more frightened of the females in this country than the wildlife......

When I think about it it, its two words for the same thing really....

 

[Gnomey]

 

[XBe02Drvr]

How handy are you, Chris? The ideal RV is a converted motorcoach. A neighbor of mine bought a retired Vermont Transit MC 9 bus with two million miles on it and a fresh engine, tranny, and running gear for a tad over ten grand. He's redone the interior, and it's spacious and nice and the way HE wants it, and he's only got about 25 K total into it. It came with lavatory already installed, and all he had to do was install a tub/shower. The large baggage compartments provide plenty of space for tankage and can take the weight.
I've driven it, and it's the easiest large vehicle I've ever experienced. (I drove busses for a living when in college.) Fabulous brakes, steering, suspension, and visibility. "Smart" type automatic transmission gets better mileage than a stick shift. In transit service these rigs get 500K miles between engine overhauls, a million per tranny OH, and a new drivetrain at two million. Design life: 5 million, though most Class 1 carriers retire them at 2 or 2.5. Built to last.
Check out Family Motor Coach Association online.
Y'all have fun now, hear?
Cheers,
Wes

 

[gumbyk]

Chris, NOTHING in the northern hemisphere will have prepared you to exist alongside of over 100 species of deadly poisonous snakes like the Coastal Taipan whose venom kills in less than 30 min, spiders that actually trap BIRDS rather than insects and 40 species of Funnel-Webs worse than the snakes, an untold number of water-living critters like your standard Sharks, Stingrays, poisonous Sea Snakes, Stonefish, blue-ringed octopus, box-jelly fish, the Irukandji jelly-fish the size of a match head, and of all things a SNAIL whose poison can kill a man...a friggin SNAIL. Then there are the insects like 40mm bull ants able to see over a meter armed with a poisonous (of course) sting. They will aggressively follow intruders and attack by jumping, the 16cm giant centipede (poisonous naturally), and the paralysis tick whose bite delivers saliva that paralyzes humans. Not to be left out a 2 meter tall flightless bird armed with a foot long razor sharp claw that can disembowel a man in one swipe.
Lots of work for your animal control pole!!

Or, you could come to NZ - its a little bit shaky, but there's only one poisonous little spider that's rarely seen.

 

[mikewint]

there's only one poisonous little spider that's rarely seen.

True as far as it goes BUT:
Katipo Spider
Although it is extremely rare and very few New Zealanders have ever seen one, the Katipo spider is the closest thing New Zealand has to a dangerous insect. Apparently, it bites but the chances of you encountering one are very slim. The katipo is black with a red stripe on its back, and it's about the size of a pea. Although its venom is not lethal, the area could get infected and you should immediately seek medical help if bitten.

A visitor from nearby Oz, the Redback Spider. These little things have recently made their way across the sea from nearby Australia. The redback spider is not well suited to the colder and wetter conditions of New Zealand, though, so it is unlikely that it will ever become well established here. As a result, its numbers are very small and you are very unlikely to see one. If you do get a bite, though, you will need to be injected with the antivenom to avoid serious injury.

Another visitor from Oz, the White-Tailed Spider
The white-tail is also originally from Australia and is a bit more common. Although it does bite, it is not particularly painful and won't cause any problems. They are found (if found at all) in crevices and behind pieces of wood so be careful if removing any wooden items that have been stationary for a while.

Mosquito
Unfortunately, the wet climate is a popular destination for one of the world's most annoying insectst—the mosquito. These can be found throughout New Zealand, particularly in wet, warm areas during the summer months. They are annoying rather than dangerous, although bites can be irritable and leave large, itchy bumps on the skin. Pick up some bug repellant if you're going hiking, and in remote areas, it may also be advisable to use a mosquito net if sleeping out during the summer.

Sandflies, also known as blackflies, are also common and grow to a fair size in remote parts of the South Island during the summer. These pesky insects cut at the skin to feed on blood, and their saliva often causes itchy rashes or hives to develop on the skin. Avoid camping near sandy areas in the summer and remember to bring bug repellant if you're tramping through the sand.

Portuguese Man-of-War (Bluebottle) Jellyfish
Although difficult to spot in the water, these are found on beaches in New Zealand at various times and are brought in from waters further north on ocean currents. They can inflict a painful sting, and though they aren't particularly common, you should check with a local before swimming. They can be present in the water or washed up onto the sand; avoid contact with them either way.

Sharks
Yes, there are plenty of sharks in the waters surrounding New Zealand, but attacks are rare to the point of being virtually unheard of in recent years. Surfers might be at a slightly higher risk (due to a wetsuit looking a bit like a tasty seal to a shark), but again, attacks are extremely rare. You're much more likely to be struck by lightning than to be bothered by a shark.

Kea
The kea is the New Zealand parrot, found in southern alpine regions of the South Island. This bird is not so much dangerous as a nuisance as it's quite cheeky and will attack your personal belongings if you leave them unattended. However, the biggest damage they cause is to cars. They have a particular taste for the rubber on windscreens, mirrors and car doors and can be quite destructive. They are not a threat to humans, however.

Black Nightshade
Unripe berries from these plants can be fatal to children, so if you're hiking in the woods with your kids, make sure they know the dangers of eating unfamiliar berries. However, ripe black nightshade berries and leaves have been used in local cooking recipes. Keep in mind that some abdominal discomfort may occur if you ingest too much of this seasoning and adults may experience mild food poisoning if they eat unripe berries.

Thorn Apple
The thorn apple (Datura stramonium) is one of the most dangerous plants on the island of New Zealand. Some locals and tourists eat this plant to experience the hallucinogenic effects caused by its alkaloid chemicals, but side effects of this type of plant medicine include over-stimulation of the heart alongside providing a strong muscle relaxant, which could be a fatal combination.

Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus)
Known as the "most poisonous common plant" by the "Guinness World Records," raw castor beans are poisonous when ingested, with lethal doses at just four to eight seeds for adults. However, poisonings are rarely reported as most people know the oil has to be extracted from the toxic water-soluble ricin in the beans before it can be used safely in cooking.

Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum diflorum)
Although commonly kept as houseplants during the winter to provide a pop of color, the berries of the Jerusalem cherry bush are mildly toxic for humans and pets alike. This plant belongs to the nightshade family and bears small orange, yellow, and red fruits, especially during the winter months.

Karaka
Commonly used in New Zealand food, the raw kernels of the karaka fruit are toxic to humans and pets alike due to high levels of karakin in them. Dried out and baked, the karaka fruit is safe to eat and is often made into a bread paste by some native tribes. Consumption of raw kernels could cause mild paralysis or convulsions and in extreme cases can be fatal.

Tree Nettle (Ongaonga)
Known as Ongaonga by the native Mãori, Urtica ferox or tree nettle is a largely woody shrub is covered in nettles that inject anything that rubs against them with poison. Especially when hiking in the backwoods of New Zealand, be careful not to brush against these—although one time will only result in slight irritation, multiple scrapes could cause paralysis, nausea, or even fatality.

Death Cap Mushroom
It's not recommended that you go picking mushrooms for your meal unless you consider yourself an expert on New Zealand fungi—however, you should always avoid the Amanita phalloides species, more commonly known as the death cap mushroom. Effects can take hours to manifest and often attack the liver too severely before treatment can be administered, often resulting in death. However, accidental ingestion is very rare so you should only really worry about these if you're trying to cook your own fresh-picked mushrooms.

Seals and Sea Lions
Although these mostly-docile creatures typically don't pose any threat to humans, if you get to close to them and they feel threatened, especially the males of either species, they are likely to attack. Remember to keep your distance from the young of these species as well, especially immediately after they're born as mothers will also be quite protective.

Wasps and Bees
Unless you're allergic to bees or wasps, these insects are but small nuisances during the summer months. While their stings can be quite painful and last for several days—practically ruining a vacation—they are only fatal if you're allergic to bee or wasp venom. Still, be careful which trees you bump into as a bee or wasp nest might be hiding in the branches.

 

[gumbyk]

True as far as it goes BUT:
Katipo Spider
Although it is extremely rare and very few New Zealanders have ever seen one, the Katipo spider is the closest thing New Zealand has to a dangerous insect. Apparently, it bites but the chances of you encountering one are very slim. The katipo is black with a red stripe on its back, and it's about the size of a pea. Although its venom is not lethal, the area could get infected and you should immediately seek medical help if bitten.

A visitor from nearby Oz, the Redback Spider. These little things have recently made their way across the sea from nearby Australia. The redback spider is not well suited to the colder and wetter conditions of New Zealand, though, so it is unlikely that it will ever become well established here. As a result, its numbers are very small and you are very unlikely to see one. If you do get a bite, though, you will need to be injected with the antivenom to avoid serious injury.

Another visitor from Oz, the White-Tailed Spider
The white-tail is also originally from Australia and is a bit more common. Although it does bite, it is not particularly painful and won't cause any problems. They are found (if found at all) in crevices and behind pieces of wood so be careful if removing any wooden items that have been stationary for a while.

Mosquito
Unfortunately, the wet climate is a popular destination for one of the world's most annoying insectst—the mosquito. These can be found throughout New Zealand, particularly in wet, warm areas during the summer months. They are annoying rather than dangerous, although bites can be irritable and leave large, itchy bumps on the skin. Pick up some bug repellant if you're going hiking, and in remote areas, it may also be advisable to use a mosquito net if sleeping out during the summer.

Sandflies, also known as blackflies, are also common and grow to a fair size in remote parts of the South Island during the summer. These pesky insects cut at the skin to feed on blood, and their saliva often causes itchy rashes or hives to develop on the skin. Avoid camping near sandy areas in the summer and remember to bring bug repellant if you're tramping through the sand.

Portuguese Man-of-War (Bluebottle) Jellyfish
Although difficult to spot in the water, these are found on beaches in New Zealand at various times and are brought in from waters further north on ocean currents. They can inflict a painful sting, and though they aren't particularly common, you should check with a local before swimming. They can be present in the water or washed up onto the sand; avoid contact with them either way.

Sharks
Yes, there are plenty of sharks in the waters surrounding New Zealand, but attacks are rare to the point of being virtually unheard of in recent years. Surfers might be at a slightly higher risk (due to a wetsuit looking a bit like a tasty seal to a shark), but again, attacks are extremely rare. You're much more likely to be struck by lightning than to be bothered by a shark.

Kea
The kea is the New Zealand parrot, found in southern alpine regions of the South Island. This bird is not so much dangerous as a nuisance as it's quite cheeky and will attack your personal belongings if you leave them unattended. However, the biggest damage they cause is to cars. They have a particular taste for the rubber on windscreens, mirrors and car doors and can be quite destructive. They are not a threat to humans, however.

Black Nightshade
Unripe berries from these plants can be fatal to children, so if you're hiking in the woods with your kids, make sure they know the dangers of eating unfamiliar berries. However, ripe black nightshade berries and leaves have been used in local cooking recipes. Keep in mind that some abdominal discomfort may occur if you ingest too much of this seasoning and adults may experience mild food poisoning if they eat unripe berries.

Thorn Apple
The thorn apple (Datura stramonium) is one of the most dangerous plants on the island of New Zealand. Some locals and tourists eat this plant to experience the hallucinogenic effects caused by its alkaloid chemicals, but side effects of this type of plant medicine include over-stimulation of the heart alongside providing a strong muscle relaxant, which could be a fatal combination.

Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus)
Known as the "most poisonous common plant" by the "Guinness World Records," raw castor beans are poisonous when ingested, with lethal doses at just four to eight seeds for adults. However, poisonings are rarely reported as most people know the oil has to be extracted from the toxic water-soluble ricin in the beans before it can be used safely in cooking.

Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum diflorum)
Although commonly kept as houseplants during the winter to provide a pop of color, the berries of the Jerusalem cherry bush are mildly toxic for humans and pets alike. This plant belongs to the nightshade family and bears small orange, yellow, and red fruits, especially during the winter months.

Karaka
Commonly used in New Zealand food, the raw kernels of the karaka fruit are toxic to humans and pets alike due to high levels of karakin in them. Dried out and baked, the karaka fruit is safe to eat and is often made into a bread paste by some native tribes. Consumption of raw kernels could cause mild paralysis or convulsions and in extreme cases can be fatal.

Tree Nettle (Ongaonga)
Known as Ongaonga by the native Mãori, Urtica ferox or tree nettle is a largely woody shrub is covered in nettles that inject anything that rubs against them with poison. Especially when hiking in the backwoods of New Zealand, be careful not to brush against these—although one time will only result in slight irritation, multiple scrapes could cause paralysis, nausea, or even fatality.

Death Cap Mushroom
It's not recommended that you go picking mushrooms for your meal unless you consider yourself an expert on New Zealand fungi—however, you should always avoid the Amanita phalloides species, more commonly known as the death cap mushroom. Effects can take hours to manifest and often attack the liver too severely before treatment can be administered, often resulting in death. However, accidental ingestion is very rare so you should only really worry about these if you're trying to cook your own fresh-picked mushrooms.

Seals and Sea Lions
Although these mostly-docile creatures typically don't pose any threat to humans, if you get to close to them and they feel threatened, especially the males of either species, they are likely to attack. Remember to keep your distance from the young of these species as well, especially immediately after they're born as mothers will also be quite protective.

Wasps and Bees
Unless you're allergic to bees or wasps, these insects are but small nuisances during the summer months. While their stings can be quite painful and last for several days—practically ruining a vacation—they are only fatal if you're allergic to bee or wasp venom. Still, be careful which trees you bump into as a bee or wasp nest might be hiding in the branches.

Mostly nuisance plants/animals there. We have Black Nightshade growing in the garden here, and my wife and kid eat the berries. Not sure why the Kea made it to this list, they're an endangered species, and the worst they'll do is destroy your belongings.

As far as plants go, you've missed the most deadly: Tutu - The honey made from this plant can kill, and it has killed an elephant form a travelling circus.

But at least plants are passive - they won't hunt you or move into your house.