The New Zealand mite fauna comprised over 1,259 species (including 49 unnamed) in over 540 genera belonging to over 180 families of 6 orders by the end of October 2000, with 596 species (29 unnamed) in Prostigmata, 93 species (4 unnamed) in the Astigmata, 384 species (4 unnamed) in the Oribatida, 1 species in the Holothyrida, 15 species in the Ixodida, and 170 (14 unnamed) species in the Mesostigmata. Most of these species were described in the last four decades and by a few productive authors. The New Zealand mite fauna includes many unique species: 82% of oribatid mites are endemic, and only one water mite species out of over 140 is also found outside New Zealand. The New Zealand fauna of Holothyrida appears to be rich but virtually unstudied. Most families of New Zealand Mesostigmata, Prostigmata, and Astigmata await systematic study and some 90% of New Zealand mite species are waiting to be described.