Due to its long geological isolation since breaking away from the supercontinent Gondwana about 80 million years ago, New Zealandâs plant and animal life has developed down a unique evolutionary path. Many of our native plants and animals are endemic â that is, found nowhere else in the world.The level of endemism among New Zealand plants and animals is one of the highest in the world.The tuatara, moa, kiwi, kokako, saddleback, huia, kakapo, native frogs and giant carnivorous land snails are just some of the species that are unique to New Zealand.ue to its long geological isolation since breaking away from the supercontinent Gondwana about 80 million years ago, New Zealandâs plant and animal life has developed down a unique evolutionary path. Many of our native plants and animals are endemic â that is, found nowhere else in the world.