Exotically different

NEW Zealand retains a solid grip on our imaginations ever since this region's navigator Captain James Cook sighted the islands on October 6, 1769, and landed at Poverty Bay two days later.

This three-part documentary quite rightly recruited Jurassic Park star Sam Neill (who is Northern Ireland born, but moved out to New Zealand at the age of seven) as the narrator for a land that was isolated from the rest of the world since the time of the dinosaurs, some 80 million years ago, with surprising and spectacular consequences.

The daring film crew journeyed across the notorious Roaring Forties weather system, hiked in the perilous Southern Alps and visited the deadly subterranean geothermal chambers that can cook human flesh.

Of course, it's the entertaining and unexpected wildlife that are the real talking points, from sinister snails with teeth, prehistoric predators and alpine parrots that unsettle the farmers and their sheep.

The first episode features some of New Zealand's most ancient and weirdest of species and reveals some unexpected and spectacular solutions wildlife have adopted to survive.

There's a colony of penguins that thrives in dwarf rainforest and commute from the beach through a tiny maze of "streets" to feed their chicks. Strangler trees crack dry lava fields turning volcanic wasteland into an oasis full of life.

The cameras also pick out the nervous and tricky kiwi, although filming had to be at night using infrared.

Then there's the giant flightless parrot called the kakapo, which required special permission for the crew to visit an offshore island. Scientists replace the bird's real eggs with porcelain ones so they can hatch the babies in the lab.

Series producer Mark Flowers told TV Times: "We captured the moment when the mother was away from her nest and they swap the porcelain egg for a tiny chick. I think it's the biggest wildlife heist in conservation history.

"Capturing the magical blue light of the glow-worms was challenging because we were outside in one of the wettest and wildest parts of the country. The crew had to work through the night, with the risk of a storm coming at any moment."

Plus, there is footage of shepherds and their sheepdogs flying across vast mountainous landscapes in helicopters, and an insight into how dolphins have developed their own leaping body language.

On these mythical islands, the astonishing creatures and resilient people have risen to the challenges of their dramatic and demanding home, and the resulting sights and sounds are truly astonishing.

The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies (C5, 8pm)

A Traveller site in Dagenham provides scant protection for Phoebe the Jack Russell. Alone and frightened, she has sustained a badly broken leg, so the team take her in for an operation, but her ability to walk is in real danger.

Meanwhile, Lauren Bailey is in Brackley to help collie cross Sam, who suffers from a painful skin condition, and another collie is given a second chance in Yorkshire, when one-time puppy farm resident Ben is trained as a sheepdog.

Elsewhere, emaciated German shepherd Max appears to be beyond help, but Inspector Anthony Pulfer spots signs of life and the animal is rushed off for specialist treatment.

Finally, there's good news as Alan visits old acquaintance Socks – his chronic flea problem is now a thing of the past.

The Job Interview (C4, 9pm)

BLACKS Vets bosses Tracey and Val from Dudley interview for a receptionist, with 24-year-old David, who has struggled to find a job and support his family, among the applicants.

Others up for consideration include 41-year-old animal lover Nicola, who owns 150 quails, and 27-year-old Emily who wants a better life/work balance after quitting teaching.

Also interviewing are Lee and Karen from Colossal Training, who run maritime health and safety courses, looking for a super-organised admin officer for their new branch in Liverpool.