“Birdsong is no longer drowned out by traffic”, Al Jazeera English reports on the inspiring recovery of native manu/birds in Wellington.

In 2019, our Bicultural Engagement Lead Ranger Terese McLeod (Taranaki Whānui) was carrying out a rubbish audit in the Kaiwharawhara stream. She noticed that a lot of the rubbish being collected consisted of plastic flowers blown off graves from the nearby cemetery. Since then, Terese has helped enable plastic reduction in cemeteries, including Mākara urupā which is now plastic-free.

The hihi breeding season is well underway with the first of the nests beginning to hatch in late November and many more following suit.

We are so fortunate to share our spaces with kākā again, but like with any new housemate, we are still learning how to do this respectfully and mindfully.

We truly appreciate your support as members throughout 2024—together, we have been able to achieve some massive conservation milestones

Aotearoa is known for having a large diversity of manu/birds; however, it is also the land of the mokomoko/lizards (geckos and skinks). Although it can be difficult to tell individual species apart, skinks and geckos are quite different.

Imagine being in a forest filled with manu/birds and trying to count them all. A kākā swoops past in the blink of an eye. Is that tīeke/saddleback, foraging noisily, one that you’ve already counted? Pōpokotea/whiteheads chatter and flutter everywhere, causing you to recount every time they shift around you. How could anyone hope to estimate these numbers?

Our fence was internationally groundbreaking. After 25 years of protecting native species, it needs attention to last another generation. Now we have the opportunity to reimagine the fence. We have the chance to review its success and make sure it continues protecting what was once lost.

Did you know that the Kaiwharawhara is the only catchment in Wellington City with an open estuary connected to Wellington Harbour? Beginning in Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, the Kaiwharawhara catchment is home to many fish species which need to move between fresh and saltwater to complete their lifecycle.

Almost half of all households in Aotearoa own at least one domestic cat, and 20% own two or more. Being a responsible cat owner is vital to keeping your cat safe and happy and also to helping keep native wildlife safe. Wellington City Council Animal Liaison Officer Alanah Day shares some information about one way that you can be a responsible cat owner: microchipping.