Shoal Bay Press, Christchurch, 1996. Good secondhand condition.

New Zealand's North Island has an astonishing variety of natural habitats, and many of them are within easy walking distance, once you step out of your car. This book describes sixty short, readily accessible walks, from Cape Reinga in the north to Pencarrow Head in the south. In between it explores mangrove swamps, windswept beaches, bubbling hot springs, primeval forests and barren plateaus - all of them accessible to walkers of all ages and levels of fitness.

The commentary on each walk provides a mixture of practical advice, vivid descriptions of the delights in store for the visitor, and fascinating asides about particular historical or natural features of the area. Each is illustrated with superb full-color photographs by Nic Bishop and the author, and clear, easy-to-follow maps.

Mark Pickering has packed a wealth of detail into a compact, easily-carried form: the book is not only a useful guidebook, ideal for the glovebox of your car, but entertaining and informative reading in its own right.

A companion volume to Wild Walks: Sixty Short South Island Walks, this will prove just as popular with New Zealanders and overseas visitors who want to explore the North Island's many wonderful wild places.