COMP CLOSED | Book Giveaway | A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand

A Naturalist's Guide Fungi of Aotearoa NZ
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We are very pleased to be giving away two copies of Ruben Mita’s book, ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand’, to our GrownUps members.

All you need to do to enter the draw is be a GrownUps member, make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and fill in your details near the bottom of the page!

A Naturalist's Guide Fungi of Aotearoa NZAbout A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand

The perfect pocket guide to the 267 species of New Zealand’s fungi. Easy to use, informative and with fabulous colour photographs!

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand is an easy-to-use introductory identification guide to the 267 species of New Zealand’s fungi described at species or genus level: perfect for residents and visitors alike. High-quality photographs are accompanied by detailed descriptions of species, which include nomenclature, size, identification of characteristics and habitat, possible confusion, and edibility or toxicity. The user-friendly introduction gives an overview of what fungi are, how to make a spore print, foraging, taxonomy and naming, plus a glossary.

Fungi of Aotearoa NZ is the 4th title in John Beaufoy’s growing series of New Zealand Naturalists’ Guides. Previous books are Birds; Butterflies & Moths and Reptiles & Amphibians.

Author Note

‘The book was written over eight months, beginning right as I was finishing my Postgraduate Diploma in Ecological Restoration, and the big final push to finish came right in mushroom season in Aotearoa. In the middle of a day of writing, I’d take a break to walk the dog through Te Ahumairangi in Wellington and immediately be surrounded by living examples of the subjects I’d been describing. It was a great way of keeping the abstract real, even though the business of writing meant it was my least active mushroom season in years. Many days, after plenty of patient waiting on the dog’s behalf, we’d come back with a few big porcini to fry up, and more often than not, I’d pass by other people foraging or just stopping out of curiosity to take photos of some fungi, constant reminders of the size of the community I was writing for and the broader interest in fungi many people are starting to take.’

About the Author

Ruben Mita is an ecologist and writer living in Pōneke Wellington. Growing up in the Waitakere Ranges of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, he discovered a love of fungi from an early age.

He holds degrees in Ecology and Biodiversity, Ecological Restoration, English and Music from Te Herenga Waka University of Wellington, and is also a published poet.

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Terms and conditions

    1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
    2. Competition closes on the 16th April 2025, winners will be notified via email by 17th April 2025.
    3. It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be sent. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
    4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
    5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
    6. By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
    7. One entry per household.
    8. Prize in non transferrable.
    9. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize can only be redeemed within New Zealand.
    10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, please check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.