Complete the crossword and rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out the hidden solution. Send your answer, name and address by December 18 to wildernessword@lifestylepublishing.co.nz. All correct entries go in the draw to win one of five bottles of 2B insect repellent.

Across
8. Maori name for NZ lancewood tree (7)
9. Memorable saying – “can’t see the wood for the trees”, eg (5)
10. _____ Bay – place to kayak and walk northeast of Nelson (5)
11. Transport injured person from wilderness by helicopter (7)
12. Majority of NZ’s native trees and plants are this (9)
14. Quick swim in lake or stream to freshen up (3)
16. Wilderness cry for help (1,1,1)
18. Mt _____ – prominent peak in Arthur’s Pass National Park (9)
21. Tract of boggy land near estuary that is exposed at low tide (7)
22. Smooth-bodied lizards you might spot at edges of bush (5)
23. _____ and green – how we would like our environment to be (5)
24. Notional line around earth that is equidistant from poles (7)

Down
1. Hen and _____ – group of islands off coast of northern NZ (8)
2. _____ Cone – ski area near Wanaka (6)
3. Deep narrow wooded valley of stream (4)
4. Large endangered flightless NZ bird of rail family found in mountain grassland (6)
5. _____ River – inland Canterbury river that is one of headwaters of Rangitata River system (8)
6. Mixed – this might describe terrain that includes both hills and flat tracts (6)
7. Partially decomposed vegetable matter forming deposit on boggy ground (4)
13. Sound made by water in small rippling creek (8)
15. Hut on Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk (8)
17. Grass-like plants with triangular stems growing in wet places (6)
19. Decomposing leaves and other organic detritus on forest floor (6)
20. Wrenches ankle sideways when stumbling over tree root, eg (6)
21. Small predator pests in NZ (4)
22. Lateral ridge projecting from mountain (4)

Hidden solution: North Island up hill and down dale (5,6)
November’s hidden solution: Alpine plants