Scientists believe they have identified an entirely new bird family from a fossil discovered near St Bathans in Central Otago.
Named Zealandornis relictus, the fossil doesn't seem to match any group of birds that has been known to live anywhere on Earth.
Canterbury Museum senior curator natural history and study co-author Paul Scofield says Aotearoa's flora and fauna has always been unique, even as far back as 20 to 30 million years ago.
He spoke to Corin Dann.
