Te aitanga pepeke
‘Te aitanga pepeke’ (the insect world) is the Māori phrase for insects and other creatures that have similar features: four or more legs, appear to sit in a crouching position, and some can leap or jump. The pūngāwerewere (spider), pepe pūrerehua (butterfly/moth), uruururoroa kapokapowai (dragonfly), rō (stick insect), and wētā all belong to this group.
They and other species such as the ngata (snail) and pī (bee), commonly found in New Zealand, each play a vital role in maintaining our healthy ecosystems.
He aha tēnei pepeke? What is this bug? poster. Click to download.
![Male Auckland tree wētā / tokoriro [Hemideina thoracica]](/assets/Education/Pare/Hemideina-thoracica-figurata_m__FillMaxWzMwMCwyMDBd.jpg)