Our Frog

New Zealand's four native frogs are all endangered and are only found in areas of the Coromandel Peninsula and off-shore islands. They are unique due to their terrestrial lifestyle and no free-swimming tadpole stage. They have no external ear and no vocal sac and hence do not produce a characteristic frog croak. They are also very small and nocturnal, so very rarely seen.

The most commonly found frogs in New Zealand are frogs that were introduced from Australia. These are the Southern Bell frog and the Whistling Tree frog. The Southern Bell frog lives in the wetland at Grove Mill winery and is the golden symbol on the Grove Mill wine label.

The Southern Bell frog was first introduced to NZ around 1860. This large green frog measures between 55mm and 105mm, has suction cupped toe pads and rear webbed feet and makes a loud croaking sound. It has tadpoles that grow in waterways and ponds during the summer.

Frogs around the world are becoming increasingly endangered with an average of 35 species of amphibians becoming extinct annually. The main cause of these amphibian deaths worldwide is thought to be habitat destruction. Frogs are particularly sensitive to environmental change as they have a semi permeable skin and so are often the first wetland inhabitant to feel the effects of pollutants.

Grove Mill is committed to providing a wetland habitat for the Southern Bell frogs while at the same time supporting frog research in New Zealand.