 It seems that the kakapo – like many of New Zealand 's bird species – has evolved to occupy an ecological niche normally filled by various species of mammal ( the only non @-@ marine mammals native to New Zealand are three species of small bats ) . Before the arrival of humans , the kakapo was distributed throughout the three main islands of New Zealand . It lived in a variety of habitats , including <unk> , <unk> and coastal areas . It also inhabited forests , including those dominated by <unk> ( rimu , <unk> , <unk> , <unk> ) , <unk> , <unk> , and <unk> . In Fiordland , areas of avalanche and slip debris with <unk> and heavily fruiting vegetation – such as five finger , <unk> , bush lawyer , <unk> , <unk> , and <unk> – became known as " kakapo gardens " . 
