CARING FOR NATURE GOES BEYOND OUR ENVIRONMENT

Research has shown that spending time in nature lifts moods, decreases feelings of depression and anxiety, improves concentration, relieves stress, speeds recovery from tough times and improves feelings of social connectedness. 

During spring, we want to invite you to connect with nature in ways you may not have considered, from spending time in green spaces,  or your own back yard, learning more about our environment and connecting with others who give back to conservation. 

 

This page is a hub of ideas and activities to help you connect with nature this spring. 

Tiaki taiao, tiaki tangata - Care for nature and it will care for you

 

Events

There are endless ways to connect with nature, from practicing mindfulness outdoors, to learning more about your backyard, or chatting with people who dedicate their spare time to conservation. 

Whānau Yoga in the Sanctuary - Weekends from 1st Oct. 9-11am

Experience a bilingual hatha flow surrounded by the serenity of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne. You’ll enjoy a calming hīkoi/walk up to Tūī Terrace then settle in for a 60min session and leave feeling refreshed and ready for the weekend. Suitable for ages 8+

 

Find out more

Grandparents Go Free* - All weekend 1st-2nd October

October 2nd is New Zealand Grandparents Day, so we're celebrating grandparents and the joy they bring our tamariki. Whether related by blood or by love, spend some quality time with your whānau this weekend - grandparents get free* general admission. *Ts and Cs apply.

 

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Tree Friends Puppet Show - Wednesday 12th October, 10.30am

Kereru and Millie are best friends. When a baby Kohekohe tree is left orphaned in a storm they work together to protect him from the invaders. An interactive puppet show for all ages about the struggle against invasive weed species. Not all Green is Good!

 

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Blogs

 

What makes a weed a weed?

Weed Team Ranger, Summer, shares what makes a weed, a weed.

We’ve created a safe haven for native wildlife within our fence, and our ongoing weed work ensures these unwanted plants are kept at bay so those that belong can thrive. But what if we treated the rest of Aotearoa like our sanctuary, and replaced those that don’t belong with those that do - our natives? We could do some pretty amazing things for our native ecosystems - in our home gardens, and our local outdoor spaces. Targeting weeds in our own backyards creates spaces for native plants, invertebrates and birds to thrive and prevents them from being spread far and wide – including into Zealandia.

If you’re in, a great place to start is to learn how to identify and recognise weeds. 

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Top 10 things to do and see at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

If you're looking for things to do in Wellington during Spring, there's so much to see and do at Zealandia. Whether you’ve been 100 times or never, there’s always something new to do and see..  

To get you started, here’s our list of the top 10 things to do when you visit

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Love is in the air

The sun is out, the puawānanga/clematis is blooming, and love is in the air -- amongst toutouwai, or North Island robins, that is.  

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Growing native plants

Growing native plants is a great way to become familiar with the native biodiversity we have here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Bringing a few into your home can help you to connect with nature too.

Native plants grown outside in your garden or in large pots can provide habitat or food for native birds, lizards, or insects.

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To feed or not to feed: Bringing the birds to your backyard

From the loud kākā, the iridescent kererū or the soft calls of the ruru at night, it can be super exciting to see these birds in our backyards, but as we learn to live with these species in an urban environment, it is important to be conscious of how we interact with them.

At Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, we recommend planting native trees and shrubs, rather than putting out sugar water feeders or fruit and nuts to attract birds to your gardens.

Here are a few reasons why...

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Get Involved - Volunteer at Zealandia

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in local conservation. Check out some of the opportunities available at Zealandia below.

Ranger Assistants:

The Infrastructure Team is looking to recruit several Ranger Assistant volunteers to work alongside rangers and other volunteers on a number of different projects and jobs in the sanctuary. These include vegetation clearing, track work, fence maintenance, or any smaller jobs that come up on a day-to-day basis.
 
You’ll ideally be available one day a week on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 9am-3pm, but hours can be flexible. You must have a good level of fitness and have sturdy footwear and clothing appropriate for all weathers. You could be working by yourself or in a small group, depending on the task, so independence, good work ethic and problem-solving skills would also help in this role.

This volunteer role provides the opportunity to get a taste of what it’s like to be a ranger in an ecosanctuary, while working on important projects to maintain the biosecurity and running of the sanctuary. 
 
If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact Callum Shaw at callum.shaw@visitzealandia.com

Weed Control Volunteers:

Tradescantia and climbing dock are pesky environmental weeds that can smoother large areas and prevent the growth of native species. 

We are looking for individuals or groups that are keen on weeding and would like to help us tackle some key areas of tradescantia and climbing dock infestations. The work will involve manual control of plants, in both flat and steep terrain, on and off-tracks. The work can be done in groups or individually, and according to your time schedule.

If this work is of interest to you, we would love to hear from you, please contact morag.turnbull@visitzealandia.com for further information.


Image credit: weedbusters.co.nz

Weed Team Ranger Assistant:

The weed team at Zealandia is looking for committed volunteers to assist with invasive flora control this summer. The work involves long days, often with lots of walking and bashing through the bush, as well as manual labour. This is a great opportunity to increase your skills in plant identification and weed control techniques, keep up your fitness and spend time in nature.

You will need to be physically fit and comfortable on steep and rough terrain and able to commit to at least one whole day once a week or fortnight between the hours of 8:30-4, the days are flexible. Having prior plant ID skills is handy but not necessary. The ideal start date for this role would be in November and will continue until the end of the weed season in March or April.

If you are interested in this role, please email your interest and some information about yourself to morag.turnbull@visitzealandia.com.