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    • Rat Traps Now Available
      • Zealandia is partnering with Enhancing the Halo to provide easier access to cheap and safe predator control tools. By selling subsidised rat traps and tunnels at the Zealandia store, they hope to boost pest control efforts outside the sanctuary’s fence. Zealandia Conservation Manager, Raewyn Empson, hopes the partnership will inspire locals to protect the native species in their own backyards. “Our birds are free to leave, but once they’re outside our fence they become vulnerable to predation. If we can inspire locals to contribute to conservation in their own backyards, native species will have a greater chance of surviving outside the the safety of Zealandia.” The partnership evolved from a one-off event that saw Enhancing the Halo sell traps at the Sanctuary. It was so popular that the next obvious step was to bring traps onsite. Halo Households receive support and specialist advice from scientists on pest control as well as access to subsidised traps. By being a part of Enhancing the Halo, Wellingtonians compliment ground-breaking conservation projects such as Zealandia and Otari-Wilton’s Bush. “It makes sense for us to partner with Enhancing the Halo. We’re all working towards bringing birdsong back to Wellington, and working together makes our vision much more achievable. I’d love to see every household in Wellington with one of these traps in their backyard!” said Empson. Traps are available for $25, but sign up to be a Halo Household and purchase a trap for just $10. Halo Households can buy discounted rat traps from the Halo website and bring their voucher into ZEALANDIA for pick-up.

    • Letter to the Editor: Dominion Post
      • Your article (Zealandia abandons $10m loan) grossly misrepresents the proposal by Karori Sanctuary Trust to transfer Zealandia Visitor Centre ownership to the City Council. Your headline would more accurately have read “Zealandia to fully repay $10.3m loan”. Our proposal reflects the strengthening partnership between the Council and the Trust. It is win – win, not a bail out. The City Council gains an award winning building, the loan will be fully repaid and the value in Council’s books will be written up from around $3m to full recovery. Zealandia confirms a pathway to a sustainable balance sheet which will see it debt free in 4 years. The Visitor Centre and the Sanctuary continue to help make Wellington a great place to live, work, learn and visit. None of this calls for a trade off with the basic services that Wellingtonians rightfully expect. Zealandia’s Board and staff have no problem with tight accountability and scrutiny. We are passionate about delivering value for Wellington ratepayers, and we’re proud of the progress made over the last two years: achieving balanced books, record annual visitor numbers at just under 100,000, and outstanding conservation results. Earlier this year we banded our 600th kaka and 500th kakariki, so Wellingtonians now enjoy these birds in the wider urban environment. We’re working in partnership through Nature Connections with the Zoo, Otari- Wiltons Bush and others to make Wellington a unique Natural Capital. But please. We’re balancing our books. How about balancing your coverage and putting the full story about Zealandia’s growing contribution to this fantastic city. Denise Church Chair Karori Sanctuary Trust

    • Kākā for Bird of the Year
      • Forest and Bird’s annual Bird of the Year poll is here again, and this year we’re teaming up with comedian Te Radar to support the kākā! Show your support for ZEALANDIA and vote for this charismatic little parrot here!

    • School Holiday Programme
      • ZEALANDIA Holiday Programme 2015 The ZEALANDIA school holiday programme is tailored for primary and intermediate school children aged between 5 and 12 years with a love for nature, getting outside and mucking in to make a difference. We would love your child to join us during the school holidays. Each day has a different theme providing an exciting, fun-filled nature adventure. Spaces are limited and subject to availability so make sure you book! Dates: Monday 13th July to Friday 17th July 2015 Cost: $55 per child per day (Wednesday 15th $60 per child) Times: Drop off 8-9.00am, pick up 3.30-4.30pm What you will need: Lunch, snacks and water bottle Suitable footwear for walking in the valley Waterproof outerwear (we will go out in all but the worst conditions) Change of clothes just in case! Wet weather conditions: Our philosophy is to spend as much time outside in the sanctuary as possible. We do however have a duty of care to ensure the wellbeing of all attendees. If the weather is particularly cold and wet we have a number of nature focused indoor activities available. To book: Fill out registration form (here) and return to education@visitzealandia.com. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch at education@visitzealandia.com. July Schedule Feathered Friends Monday 13th July Explore the sanctuary and observe some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds. Learn about feeding habits with our ‘birds and beaks’ activity and find out what’s on the menu during the winter in the valley. Pests; what, why and how to take action! Tuesday 14th July Do you know the good guys from the bad guys? Take the ‘Spot the pest’ challenge, find out about the history behind our pest invasion and learn how to become a pest tracker in your own back yard. Native plants at Otari Wilton’s Bush Botanic Gardens + Maori uses of plants at ZEALANDIA Wednesday 15th July We’re going on a plant hunt! Otari Wilton’s Bush is home to an 800yr old Rimu tree and 5 hectares of plant collections, WOW! After getting to know our native plants we return to Zealandia to learn how the Maori made use of these plants for food, medicine and craft. Lizards and Reptiles Thursday 16th July An amazing opportunity to learn about these very unique creatures. Get up close with some of our tuatara and geckos to discover more about their super cool features! Conservation Heroes Friday 17th July Learn about conservation in the sanctuary and find out how we look after our unique New Zealand wildlife. Could you design a sanctuary? What would it look like? Will you be a conservation hero of the future?

    • Gold Coin Entry to Zealandia & Zoo
      • Wellington, NZ – This weekend Zealandia and Wellington Zoo are opening their doors to visitors for less than the price of a cup of coffee. That’s right, Open Day is upon us again, only this time it’s Open Weekend. On the 16th and 17th of May entry to these two unique Wellington wildlife attractions is just a gold coin donation. Open Day is a popular event with Wellingtonians, with thousands of people visiting Zealandia and Wellington Zoo in the last couple of years. The proceeds from gold coin entry will go towards Zealandia’s ongoing conservation efforts, as well as local and international conservation projects supported by Wellington Zoo. “I think Open Weekend is a wonderful initiative,” said Hilary Beaton, CEO of Zealandia. “It’s an opportunity to share our conservation stories with a whole new audience and to show how people can change the tide of history” “It’s vital to us that Wellington Zoo remains accessible to our community,” says Karen Fifield, CEO of Wellington Zoo. “Open Weekend is a fantastic event and we hope to see many Wellingtonians embracing the chance to explore their Zoo.” 2015 marks the first year that gold coin entry will run over two days instead of one. Part of this is to ensure a better visitor experience and also to make the event available to more people. Visitors can get the most out of their trip to Wellington Zoo by planning their day around the animal talks – a great way to get up close to animals like critically endangered Sumatran Tigers, Chimpanzees, Sun Bears, Red Pandas and rescued native Little Blue Penguins, and learn more about these amazing animals. Visitors can also join the Wellington Zoo Crew for a year-long membership. Mojo Café and the Tuck Shop will both be open for visitors to enjoy a delicious lunch, coffee or snack. At ZEALANDIA, visitors can explore the interactive exhibition, get up close and personal with New Zealand’s unique native wildlife and learn from experienced guides about the conservation efforts being made to protect it. Rata Café will also be open, providing sustainable food and drink for visitors. Details Where: Wellington Zoo, 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Welington ZEALANDIA, 53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington Dates: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2015 Hours: 9am – 5pm Last Entry: Zealanda: 4pm, Zoo: 4.15pm Entry: Gold coin entry (please bring appropriate change) Getting There: ZEALANDIA: We encourage all visitors to consider using public transport. The following bus routes are the most frequent from town: 3 (Lyall Bay – Wellington – Karori) 23 (Mairangi – Wellington – Houghton Bay) If you are driving, please be cautious of our neighbour’s entranceways. There will be limited free parking around ZEALANDIA on the following streets: Waiapu Street (approx. 110 spaces) Birdwood Street (approx. 40 spaces) Wellington Zoo: Parking may be difficult as we expect this weekend to be very busy. We encourage all visitors to take the bus to Newtown or park further away and walk to the Zoo. Visit Metlink for bus routes and timetables. For further information, please contact: Cameron Hayes Communications & Marketing Coordinator ZEALANDIA 04 922 1137 cameron.hayes@visitzealandia.com Charlotte Whitelaw Marketing & Communications Advisor Wellington Zoo 04 801 4788 or 021 227 8269 charlotte.whitelaw@wellingtonzoo.com

    • Kākāriki celebrate a significant milestone
      • Wellington, NZ – It’s good news all round for Wellington’s red-crowned kākāriki population. After being all but extinct on mainland New Zealand for over a century, this breeding season Wellington wildlife sanctuary Zealandia welcomed its 500th bird to their population. “Our first birds were transferred from Kapiti Island in 2010, so it’s taken us just over 4 years of careful management and monitoring to reach this significant milestone” says Richard Gray, Conservation Ranger at Zealandia. One of the key learnings in the transfer process was the importance of keeping the birds calm and healthy. “Previous transfers struggled to keep the kākāriki injury-free. The birds would fly around inside their aviaries and sustain injuries while trying to escape. We learnt that including more vegetation in the aviary prevented the birds from flying, while providing them a healthy food source and places to shelter. This approach was incredibly successful, and is now being used for other bird transfers around New Zealand,” says Raewyn Epsom, Manager of Conservation and Research at Zealandia. Nesting sites have also played a vital role in the population’s breeding success. “In our first year we replaced 80% of the 100 wooden nesting boxes we had installed for the birds,” says Richard Gray. “They were being destroyed by our boisterous kākā population, who enjoyed stripping off the wood with their strong beaks. To overcome this problem we designed a plastic nesting pipe, which has been working well. We are now looking to use hollow manuka logs, as they require less maintenance and are a better long-term solution.” Despite their bright green plumage and distinctive chattering call, kākāriki nests are notoriously difficult to find. Hundreds of volunteer hours have been spent patiently watching potential nest sites to check on activity and bird health. “We take great care not to interfere with the natural behaviour of the birds, and kākāriki are pretty crafty! Nest-site cameras and transmitters were generating mixed results, so we were lucky to have an incredible team of volunteers on-hand to manually monitor the sites” says Richard. “It’s just amazing to see how quickly the birds have taken to their new home,” says Raewyn. “We always thought that our valley would provide a good breeding ground for the first significant mainland relocation, but we’re surprised by how quickly the numbers have increased – the birds are really thriving. We really couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our exceptional volunteers, and our principal sponsor W.N.Pharazyn Trust.” As with any rare species, maintaining genetic diversity is key to the ongoing health of the population. “If the genetic mix is too limited the species is not resistant to disease and changes in environmental conditions. We will continue to monitor our kākāriki population to ensure they remain healthy and successful breeders,” says Raewyn. The best place to see red-crowned kākāriki is at Zealandia on the Jim & Eve Lynch track near the kaka feeders. About red-crowned kākāriki Kākāriki often forage on the ground for their favourite food – seeds, berries, fruit and insects. Fledgling kākāriki are fed by their parents on the ground before they learn to fly. The species is therefore particularly vulnerable to predators like stoats, rats and cats. The birds generally nest in late Spring and early Summer, though can nest into the Winter if there are abundant food sources. They nest in hollow trees, amongst rocks, or in ground burrows. What you can do to help Kākāriki are often seen flying outside the sanctuary, and nests have been found around Wellington. To help the birds survive it’s important to protect them from their main predators – cats, rats, weasels and stoats. Avoid feeding native birds, as it can introduce disease and it encourages them to return to the same place – exposing them to predation. Think about putting a predator trap in your garden, and keeping your cat in-doors. Discounted traps are available to those signed up to Project Halo Let us know if you’ve seen kākāriki in your neighbourhood! Report your sightings here: http://www.visitzealandia.com/contact-us/report-a-bird/ ENDS For further information, please contact: Cameron Hayes – Communications & Marketing Coordinator ZEALANDIA 04 922 1137 cameron.hayes@visitzealandia.com

    • 20 years of People Power
      • Wellington, NZ – Wellington may now have it’s own world-class urban eco-sanctuary enabling the dispersal of native wildlife throughout the city, but this wasn’t always the case. According to sanctuary founder Jim Lynch, back in the early nineties the concept of a fully-fenced sanctuary in Karori was seen by many as “a great idea but hopelessly impractical.” “I still had to face a lot of scepticism, even from conservationists,” says Jim. “At the same time some pretty amazing advances with pest eradications were happening and we all had a real sense of optimism that some big breakthroughs were imminent and could change the game significantly.” So how did the Karori Reservoir go from being an operational water supply area to a fully fenced active conservation site? The short answer: people power. Hundreds of volunteers have been involved with ZEALANDIA in some way or another over the years, contributing hundreds of thousands of hours towards transforming the valley nearer to its pre-human state. People like Tony and Helen Griffiths have watched as the sanctuary “changed from a dream, and a small group of enthusiasts, to an exciting reality.” Tony started volunteering at the sanctuary in 1995, becoming involved in weka feeding and possum trapping. Helen followed in 2000, and between them they have helped with weeding/planting bees, fence monitoring, bait/trap stations, bird monitoring, kaka feeding, telemetry work and much more. They were even able to go with sanctuary staff on a kiwi-capturing trip to Kapiti. Helen recalls some of her special moments, “finding my first tīeke nest in a hollow fuchsia, releasing one of the first North Island robins, having the opportunity to capture kiwi and bellbird on Kapiti, and on three successive Saturday night ‘kiwi counts` we saw kiwi – once right at my feet, pecking my boot!” It’s memories like these that keep people coming back to help. Volunteer Guide Des Smith remembers conducting a night tour in French, to 16 visitors from all over France. “[It was a] very clear night where the night sky with a crescent moon reflected in the top lake and we also saw 3 kiwi on the tour and other wonderful sights.” Des remembers another pretty unique tour: “the tour with the naturist group! A really neat bunch of people naked in the bush.” Mixed with these special memories is a strong sense of achievement and pride. Volunteer Julia Bracegirdle has been involved with the sanctuary for nearly 20 years and says her favourite thing about the place is “the dream – the vision – and seeing it come to fruition. I hoped the idea of a Sanctuary would work and now I can bask in the knowledge that it has. We risked and won!” On average, people in New Zealand spend 13 minutes per day in volunteering activities, the highest in the OECD where the average is 4 minutes per day. Some volunteers, like Pam Fuller, have been bumping up those statistics for years. Pam is a foundation member of the sanctuary, having worked for the organisation as a volunteer since 1993, and in a paid capacity as part-time office assistant, Volunteer Coordinator and more recently convenor for the Guide, Host and Skipper Group. Her past experience includes volunteer work in Playcentre, member of the Wellington Education Board and board representative on Teacher’s College Council and Mana and Tawa Board of Governors. This impressive resume hasn’t faltered Pam’s humbleness however, “I’ve just done what I’ve done because it’s an interest and I love it.” Pam remembers fondly the opening of the office and then-visitor centre in 1995 with a BBQ and picnic. “The Lions [Club], who had done the painting and helped with other practical work etc, cooked and sold hot dogs and drinks. At that stage Waiapu Road was much less developed with little or no parking so people parked at Ian Galloway Park and the Community bus ran a shuttle service to the office. Lots of people walked and it was a great sight to see them coming up the road with their rugs and picnic baskets. A special moment and celebration!” 2015 marks the 20 year anniversary of the Karori Sanctuary Trust, ZEALANDIA’s governing body. These are just a few of the stories and memories surrounding ZEALANDIA, by just a few of the many, many individuals involved. As Julia puts it, “I have gained as much as I have given by being involved in Zealandia. I was positive it would be a success and I have been rewarded over and over for my mindset. All in all, I can’t think of a better use of my time than volunteering in Zealandia.” For further information, please contact: Cameron Hayes – Communications & Marketing Coordinator ZEALANDIA 04 922 1137 cameron.hayes@visitzealandia.com

    • School Holiday Programme April 2015
      • Booking now open for the ZEALANDIA school holiday programme! Tailored for children ages 5 to 12, this unique programme feature a different theme every day. An opportunity to behind the scenes and see some of New Zealand’s rarest species – all while contributing to our ongoing conservation project.

    • 600th Kākā Banded at ZEALANDIA
      • ZEALANDIA has banded its 600th kākā since 14 birds were transferred into the wild at Zealandia in 2002. Until then, kākā had effectively been extinct in Wellington since the early 20th century. The birds are monitored by a group of passionate volunteers who regularly check the nestboxes with the reward of seeing their eggs hatch and chicks grow into fully-fledged kākā. Nestlings are banded at about 40 days of age before being returned to their nestboxes. A few weeks later, they will fledge and usually spend a few months close to their parents before venturing further afield on their own. Volunteer kākā group convener, Judi Miller, says “even at 40 days old, the nestlings have distinct personalities.” This season’s nestlings are sporting a festive red band on one leg, and two unique colour band combinations on the other leg, allowing researchers to easily identify them at a distance. Monitoring this species allows ZEALANDIA to support ongoing research projects that aim to find out more about kākā cognition, the effect of heavy metals on kākā populations, and how kākā interact with the puriri moth and their host trees. Kākā are now found throughout the Wellington region and are best seen at feeding stations in ZEALANDIA – or in gardens and parks around Wellington City.

    • Hihi Update
      • A male hihi. (Photo by Janice McKenna) The hihi breeding season got off to a rocky start this year and a number of nests were abandoned by females during incubation. While conservation staff couldn’t find anything to link the sites, they attributed the “false start” to a natural food source that failed to materialise on cue. However, nest building has resumed at various sites and there are currently 22 active nests in the valley. One has been made in a kākāriki nest box, which happens from time to time. Another kākāriki was seen hard at work dismantling a partially built hihi nest that had also been started in a kākāriki box. The three chicks from the first clutches are yet to fledge, but have been banded by Conservation staff and volunteers. The quarterly feeder survey has been completed and the conservation team can say that they saw a number of females whose nests are not known to them. Their current focus is on trying to narrow down the areas they are heading to in the hope of finding natural nests.

    • First Kākā Nestlings of 2014 Banded
      • The first kākā chick to be banded this season. (Photo by Linton Miller) After a delayed start to the kākā breeding season we are now seeing a “baby boom”. Chicks are bursting out of their shells throughout the sanctuary and keeping our volunteer nest monitors very busy. The first chicks were banded last week. The first lad to receive his bands was “R-YR” who got a festive red cohort band on his left leg and narrower yellow and red bands on his right leg. Look for juveniles in early 2015 as they begin to fledge. This season’s cohort will be wearing coloured bands in a festive shade of red. Kākā monitoring at Zealandia has been scaled back now that the population is so big and doing well but volunteer nest monitors are still a vital part of our research and conservation work.

    • Polhill Gully Tieke Update
      • The male tieke at Polhill Gully. (Photo by Paul Stanley Ward) It has now been over two weeks since the Polhill Gully tieke chicks left their nest. They are the first saddleback to nest on the mainland, outside of a fenced sanctuary, in over 100 years. Recently, they came up against a challenge. One chick was seen without its tail feathers, presumably after being attacked by a predator. The other hasn’t been seen in over a week. The next job for those monitoring the family will be to locate their roosting site so further protection against predators can be installed. This is the biggest threat to birds who leave the safety of ZEALANDIA, but is being reduced by local residents and community groups who work hard to control predators in their back yards. Find out more about how you can protect the wildlife in your backyard by on Enhancing the Halo’s website. They can provide you with cheap and safe predator traps and run workshops for those who are new to pest control.

    • Volunteers Celebrated
      •   We recently celebrated the contribution and outstanding work our volunteers make to ZEALANDIA, and acknowledged those who have reached ten years of service. Zealandia has over 450 volunteers who work tirelessly to contribute their time and knowledge to conservation. 10 Year Award Recipients Alan Perry Bob Watson Mary Watson John Miller Julie Quilter John Orsman Dorothy Orsman Jenny Roy Jenny Lewis Chris Lilly Jenny Walsh Judy Ryan Raye Boyle John Falkner Elizabeth Bradford Carol Stewart Services to Volunteering Michael Ayre Michael visited New Zealand in the early 2000’s and loved it so much he returned to work and settle down here. He was employed as Volunteer Coordinator in August 2004 and worked in that role for ten years until August of this year. In the same year a new young volunteer host Tracey Morgan joined team and before very long they became an item. After their marriage they lived in first in Johnsonville and then in Newlands which enabled Michael to set up a mail drop of the requisite envelopes and letters to the various members of the mail-out group living along that route. Michael has worked hard in the role meeting and inducting prospective new volunteers on an individual basis and maintaining the volunteer database, and among other things ensuring we had the numbers to manage the car parking and staff the BBQ on event days. He took over and ran the bird-feeding rosters when no convenor could be found and was frequently to be seen up the valley when the rostered person failed to show. Michael is an avid English football fan, a keen walker and home gardener responding enthusiastically to the suggestion we set up a cafe garden behind No 37. They obviously breed them tough in the north of England where he hails from since he was always to be seen in shorts and sandals, regardless of the weather and when others of us were shivering in our woollens! In fact the only time he’s been known to wear a suit or long trousers was the day he married Tracey! Last December Michael and Tracey became the proud parents of James with Michael taking parental leave in June to care for him. Outstanding New Volunteer Manuela Fletcher Manuela joined ZEALANDIA last year as a guide. Since then she has provided an excellent experience to our visitors with her friendly nature and passion for the Valley. She is part of the new Volunteer Advisory Team and will soon be helping with mentoring and training guides. As part of the mentoring and training role she will be joining ZEALANDIA staff next week at a Nature Connections Workshop. Outstanding Contributions Beth Wood – Conservation Beth has been volunteering with ZEALANDIA for the last four years as a guide. She regularly guides throughout the week and is always willing to step in as needed if she can. She is a very positive person and always ready to go the “Extra Mile”. Beth has also carried out water sampling as part of the Lower Lake Management. Linton Miller – Conservation Linton is a committed conservation volunteer at ZEALANDIA. He ensures that all monitored baby kākā get their ‘bling’ before leaving the nests. He also assists as a field assistant for a number of university research projects. Including Dr Helen Taylor’s kiwi study, Julia Loepelt’s kākā cognition study, and Katie Sheridan’s brown teal study. Linton takes the time to engage with visitors, sharing our stories about the research and the researchers. Diana Barnes – Conservation Diana has been part of the ZEALANDIA community from the start. She has done a lot of work with the Restoration Group and John the Convener says “Area 2 has been much improved by her work”. Diana is also involved feeding the kākā regularly. Faye Schaef - Conservation Faye Schaef has been a long term volunteer at ZEALANDIA. She was a key member of the robin team between 2001 and 2005, and then a member of the hihi team after their transfer in 2005.She has managed a small team of volunteers for several years. Faye has not only been one of the most reliable and frequent nest monitors, but has also been a key member of the monthly feeder survey team and, more recently helped the conservation team with data entry from these surveys. She can still be seen at the feeders identifying the birds visiting to help us with census information. We appreciate all the work that Faye has done over the years and appreciate the support she is still able to give us. Colin James – Sanctuary Care Colin joined the ZEALANDIA team in 2000. Since then he has been a keen fence monitor and became one of the conveners in 2002. Since Colin started volunteering he has been a regular at work, tree planting and helping with traffic and the BBQ on event days. He is also a member of the Upper Valley Avi-aider group. Kerry Shaw and Dave Myers - Sanctuary Care Kerry and Dave are Foundation members of the Sanctuary and Convenors of one of the Fence monitoring teams which covers from the Eastern Pylon to the Turbine. Both Kerry and Dave have been active from the start, weeding, tree planting, weka feeding, and are still active in the Upper Valley Avi-aider group. Following her retirement this year Kerry joined the kākā monitoring team. Gill Mason - Sanctuary Care Gill has had multiple volunteering roles since joining ZEALANDIA. She coordinates three fence monitoring teams, has been a host in the past, and is now a member of the newly formed Volunteer Advisory Team. She works in the background and her support is deeply appreciated from the ZEALANDIA community. Edith Hodgen - Sanctuary Care Edith contributes to many groups here at ZEALANDIA. She is a member of the Wednesday Gardening Group, Feeds kākā, and this year became the convener responsible for the rosters and training of volunteers for kākā feeders and Avi-aiders. Recently she joined the newly formed Volunteer Advisory Team and her contributions to forming the recent Volunteer recruitment were invaluable for ZEALANDIA staff.

    • Translocated Kākā Breeding
      • The kākā sits on her nest at Boundary Stream Sanctuary (Photo by Poutiri Ao ō Tāne) One of the Juvenile kākā that was translocated from ZEALANDIA to Boundary Stream Sanctuary in the Hawkes Bay is incubating a clutch of eggs, despite staff being told that all birds in the aviary were male. The kākā was transferred with several others last year after a bumper breeding season at ZEALANDIA. After some of the juveniles became sick on arrival at Boundary Stream, it was discovered that two were suffering from lead poisoning. They were successfully rehabilitated at Wildbase Animal Hospital and Pukaha Mount Bruce before being returned to the Hawkes Bay. Staff at Boundary Stream suspect the bird paired with “B-RW” from Auckland, who they were told was female. The pair were seen copulating and the female was incubating three eggs soon after. The eggs were candled and showed no sign of development but the female has since thrown staff off further by laying another egg. While she has not been seen with “B-RW”, she has been seen with a breeding male from last year.  Hopefully he has fertilised her last egg!

    • Beech Track Reopened
      • The Fallen Pine (Photo by Judi Miller) Four months ago, a large pine tree was brought down during a storm. It landed right in the middle of the Beech Track, closing it for a few months. Instead of clearing it away, the Sanctuary Care and Preservation Team of staff and volunteers decided to make a feature of it. After clearing away much of the debris, they had it certified as “stable” by a qualified arborist. The effort involved in this task has been huge and the fact that it was achieved to such a high standard completely in house without the use of external machines or contractors is testament to the resourcefulness, skill and amazing determination of ZEALANDIA’s staff and volunteers. The track has been reopened and visitors can now walk underneath its massive branches. Watch over the next few years as the forest reclaims the area and regenerates around it.

    • Wellington Green Gecko’s Return
      • A green gecko is checked for mites. (Photo by Janice McKenna) We recently welcomed eight more Wellington Green Geckos (Mokomoko Kākāriki) from Mana Island. ZEALANDIA is involved in a “head start programme” with the Department of Conservation. Juvenile forest and green geckos stay at the sanctuary for a year before being released into the wild. This programme gives young geckos a realistic chance of survival in the wild, and our visitors have a chance to see these elusive animals. They’re currently being housed in the enclosures on the Green Lawn and will double in size before they are returned to Mana in a year’s time.

    • Rehabilitated tuatara released at ZEALANDIA
      • An injured tuatara found outside ZEALANDIA’s fence by a local resident has been released back into the sanctuary, after spending 7 months being rehabilitated at Wellington Zoo’s The Nest Te Kōhanga. A member of the community found the reptile outside ZEALANDIA’s pest-exclusion fence with serious injuries to its tail. She quickly alerted the ZEALANDIA conservation staff and the tuatara was taken to The Nest Te Kōhanga at Wellington Zoo. The Zoo’s team of veterinarians performed emergency surgery to amputate what was left of its badly injured tail. The tuatara has spent 7 months recovering at Wellington Zoo – and his tail has even started to grow back! “The tuatara’s pelvic fractures have healed and a course of antibiotics has eliminated the risk of infection. He has been slowly gaining weight and is very active and bright!” explained Wellington Zoo Veterinary Science Manager, Lisa Argilla. “His tail has grown about one centimetre but this is likely to be a very long process, as tuatara do everything slowly – they grow slowly, breed slowly and have very slow metabolisms.” The tuatara was recently transferred to an outdoor enclosure at Wellington Zoo, to allow it to acclimatise to current weather conditions in preparation for release back to ZEALANDIA. Wellington Zoo and ZEALANDIA are lead partners in the Nature Connections project, which works to strengthen the links between Wellington’s ecological assets. “Thanks to the expert care of the team at Wellington Zoo, and within the safety of ZEALANDIA’s pest-exclusion fence, this tuatara now has a great chance of survival,” said ZEALANDIA Conservation Manager, Raewyn Empson. “It’s fantastic that our two organisations are able to work together for such positive outcomes for Wellington wildlife,” added Amy Hughes, Wellington Zoo’s Acting Chief Executive. “And it’s a happy coincidence that we’re able to celebrate this recovery and release during Conservation Week!” ENDS For more information please contact: Kimberley Collins - Communications and Marketing Coordinator ZEALANDIA 021 049 1436 kimberley.collins@visitzealandia.com Charlotte Whitelaw – Marketing and Communications Advisor Wellington Zoo 021 227 8269 Charlotte.whitelaw@wellingtonzoo.com

    • Make the most of your summer at ZEALANDIA with extended opening hours.
      • Photo by Daniel Allen The Karori Sanctuary Trust held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday. The event saw over 90 members turn out for an annual update and presentations on ZEALANDIA’s work and conservation successes. The announcement of new, extended summer hours was met with excitement. Many members said they will use the extra time to get their daily dose of nature. ZEALANDIA members will have exclusive access to the sanctuary from 7am each day. This is one of many benefits of supporting the sanctuary’s vision and contributing to conservation with an annual membership. The public can explore the sanctuary from 9am every day, giving them an extra 7 hours a week to encounter our rare and endangered inhabitants. ZEALANDIA Chief Executive, Hilary Beaton says that the new opening hours are an invitation for Wellingtonians to make the most of summer. “There is something special about an urban sanctuary. The proximity of human habitation with wildlife forges unexpected relationships and opening earlier makes it easier for Wellingtonians to enhance their relationship with nature” explains ZEALANDIA Chief Executive, Hilary Beaton. The new opening hours will begin on Monday 27 October 2014 and continue until Saturday 25 April 2015. For more information please contact: Kimberley Collins Communications and Marketing Coordinator 04 920 9205 021 049 1436 kimberley.collins@visitzealandia.com High Resolution Images

    • Solid Foundations Recognised at ZEALANDIA
      • Hilary Beaton welcomes a crowd of over 200 foundation members on the Heritage Lawn. Photo By Clive Pigott Foundation Members hear from Denise Church, chair of the Karori Sanctuary Trust. Photo By Clive Pigott Wellington City Council's Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Lavery, addresses the crowd. Photo By Clive Pigott Hayley Robinson, the daughter of Jim and Eve Lynch, speaks about her fathers commitment to ZEALANDIA. Photo By Clive Pigott ZEALANDIA staff sing a waiata. Photo By Clive Pigott Flaxes were planted in honour Photo By Kimberley Collins Robbie Tocher mucks in to plant a flax bush during the Foundation Members' Day under the watchful eye of his grandmother, Naomi Photo By Kimberley Collins Photo By Kimberley Collins ZEALANDIA Conservation Manager, Raewyn Empson with her grandsons, Oscar and Max. Photo By Kimberley Collins var slider;jQuery(document).ready(function(){slider = jQuery('#basicslider').bxSlider({startingSlide: 0,controls: true});jQuery('.thumbs a').click(function(e){e.preventDefault();var thumbIndex = jQuery('.thumbs a').index(this);slider.goToSlide(thumbIndex);jQuery('.thumbs a').removeClass('pager-active');jQuery(this).addClass('pager-active');return false;});jQuery('.thumbs a:first').addClass('pager-active');}); ZEALANDIA’s Foundation Members were honoured today at a special event to celebrate 20 years since the first seeds were planted to begin the community driven restoration project. Chief Executive Officer, Hilary Beaton welcomed and thanked over 200 guests, sharing her commitment to celebrating the successes of the sanctuary. “With the time, love and commitment of the Foundation Members, the seeds of success have germinated and grown. Endangered species have regained a foothold and the birdsong is returning to Wellington.” explained Beaton. “Although there is still much to do, we felt it timely to honour the Foundation Members’ commitment, passion, and contribution to our 500 year vision.” Wellington City Council Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Lavery also commended members on their achievements, telling them “ZEALANDIA will inspire many young environmentalists who will contribute to the city and the country’s sustainability efforts. “You’ve blazed a new trail for the council too, showing us what can be done if you make it a priority to protect and enhance the city’s unique environment.” This was followed by a ceremonial planting of 20 flaxes, where children and grandchildren were encouraged to muck in, sowing the seeds of conservation into the hearts and minds of future generations. The day also came with an exciting announcement. The launch of ZEALANDIA Stories – a crowd-sourced project that aims to capture the experiences of those who have been so heavily involved with bringing the birdsong back to Wellington. FACTS This event marked 20 years since Foundation Members sowed the first seeds in the sanctuary. The Karori Sanctuary Trust was officially launched by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Jim Bolger on 5 July 1995. July 4 – 5 2015 will be the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Karori Sanctuary Trust Of some 1000 original foundation members, nearly half are still involved with ZEALANDIA

    • Australian officials visit Zealandia
      • The Department of Conservation and Zealandia showcased successful conservation projects in the Wellington region last week during a visit from Australian officials. Hon. Steven Dickson, Queensland’s Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing and Ben Klaassen, Deputy Director-General of Queensland’s Parks and Wildlife Service, spent an afternoon exploring Zealandia. Their goal was to see examples of world-class restoration projects in New Zealand and apply their experience to the development and creation of wildlife sanctuaries in Australia. The partnership between Zealandia and the Department of Conservation meant the minister was able to visit two main examples of New Zealand conservation projects. On Matiu-Somes Island, the delegation saw how an island sanctuary provides refuge for endangered species in a country where wildlife is threatened by introduced mammalian predators. At Zealandia, they saw an example of a mainland island sanctuary that has grown from an idea to a reality as it is supported by the local community and fostered by partnerships with other organisations, such as the Department of Conservation. “He was extremely impressed with how close the sanctuary was to the capital city,” explained CEO of Zealandia, Hilary Beaton. “Consulting with other organisations and informing conservation initiatives is something that Zealandia has been involved in for a number of years,” said Beaton. “We think it’s excellent to see other organisations informing their decision making based on what we have achieved here and what we have learned.”

    • Local woman saves adventurous tuatara
      • The injured tuatara. (Photo by Lorna Borrett) Lorna Borrett was startled to find the tuatara while walking her dog Dobby. She wasn’t sure what it was and phoned her partner Jacob Rosevear. ”I only knew of tuatara through the brand of beer, which Jacob drinks.” “It was kind of a cool experience – there can’t be that many people in the world that have come across a tuatara in the wild,” Ms Borrett said. Lorna immediately alerted Zealandia staff who were quick to the scene. The tuatara was taken to Wellington Zoo’s The Nest Te Kōhanga where it was assessed and admitted for rehabilitation. The sanctuary has partnered with Wellington Zoo extensively in the past to ensure that injured, native wildlife receives the best care possible. Wellington Zoo veterinarian, Baukje Lenting says the tuatara has been stabilised and given pain relief. “The tail is badly damaged and we will operate on him tomorrow so we can assess how bad the damage is. It is likely that it will require further amputation.“ Conservation manager, Raewyn Empson says the most likely explanation is that it climbed the fence. “There was no evidence that it burrowed under the mammal exclusion fence. The injuries that it sustained are likely a result of a) a reflex reaction to the fall from the fence or b) injuries sustained as a result of an animal finding it outside of the fence. We hope to clarify this with more detailed examination at The Nest.” This is the first time Zealandia has been made aware of a tuatara escaping from the sanctuary. It was originally transferred from Stephen’s Island in 2007. When it was transferred, it was 45 centimetres in length and was fitted with an identifying microchip. Zealandia is grateful to the member of the public who reported the injured tuatara. It’s reassuring to see caring people getting involved and looking out for endangered species around the sanctuary. In the wild, the tuatara would not survive, but thanks to community efforts, the exclusion of mammals at Zealandia and the facilities at The Nest Te Kōhanga, they have a fighting chance. FACTS: Tuatara are a rare reptile found only in New Zealand. Tuatara were extinct from the mainland since the late 1700’s until they were released at Zealandia in 2005. Why are tuatara important? Tuatara are the only living member of the Sphenodontia order. Their ancestors were well represented by many species during the age of the dinosaurs. This makes them important in understanding reptile evolution. Tuatara reproduction is affected by temperature. The temperature that eggs experience during incubation will determine the sex of the hatchlings. Scientists suspect that global warming could cause the extinction of tuatara. Once a population has more males than females, not enough young can be produced to replace old animals. For more information please contact: Kimberley Collins Communications and Marketing Coordinator 04 920 9205 021 049 1436 kimberley.collins@visitzealandia.com

    • Juvenile tuatara to come of age at Zealandia
      • Two of the juvenile tuatara set to be released at Zealandia this evening It’s Tuatara February at Zealandia. To celebrate, five juvenile tuatara will be released into the sanctuary this evening when they are returned from Victoria University of Wellington’s captive incubation programme. “In the wild, eggs hatch after 12 – 15 months and hatchlings will often emerge when the next season’s eggs are being laid,” explained Zealandia Conservation Manager, Raewyn Empson. “We found some of these eggs exposed and they were taken, along with the others in the clutch, to Victoria University of Wellington for incubation.” Tuatara are a threatened species that have been extinct from the mainland since the late 1700’s. They were first introduced to Zealandia in 2005 and became the first breeding population on the mainland in over 200 years. The sanctuary now supports a population of over 200 individuals. “Tuatara have a slow reproductive cycle and females do not breed every year, so it will take many decades for tuatara to fully populate Zealandia,” explained Susan Keall, Senior Technical Officer at Victoria University of Wellington. “As we have the equipment and experience here at Victoria to successfully incubate eggs, we can assist the population growth by incubating and hatching eggs that would have otherwise failed.” The tuatara will be released in the main sanctuary, outside a fenced off research area where the eggs were originally found. “By releasing them outside the fenced area where they were found, we hope to increase genetic diversity in the population. It also means visitors will have a better chance to see juveniles in the main sanctuary, where they are usually more spread out. We have seen wild juveniles outside the fenced area and are confident these five will survive,” explained Empson. Zealandia has been celebrating tuatara all month during Tuatara February. This release will allow visitors to see conservation in action before exploring the sanctuary until it closes at 7.30pm. It is hoped that Tuatara February will increase awareness about tuatara conservation and research in the sanctuary to contribute to their ongoing survival as a species. The public is invited to join Tuatara February celebrations by attending the release this evening at 6pm. It is suggested that they arrive at 5.30pm to allow for walking time to reach the release site. FACTS: Tuatara are a rare reptile found only in New Zealand. Tuatara were extinct from the mainland since the late 1700’s until they were released at Zealandia in 2005. Why are tuatara important? Tuatara are the only living member of the Sphenodontia order. Their ancestors were well represented by many species during the age of the dinosaurs. This makes them important in understanding reptile evolution. Tuatara reproduction is affected by temperature. The temperature that eggs experience during incubation will determine the sex of the hatchlings. Scientists suspect that global warming could cause the extinction of tuatara. Once a population has more males than females, not enough young can be produced to replace old animals. For more information please contact: Kimberley Collins Communications and Marketing Coordinator 04 920 9205 021 049 1436 kimberley.collins@visitzealandia.com

    • Tuatara ambassadors are ready for the spotlight!
      • The male tuatara ambassador is shared with a crowd at Zealandia. (Photo: Kimberley Collins) The tuatara is an ancient reptile with three eyes and no penis. Its ancestors once walked with dinosaurs and it is often called a “living fossil”. We call it a “living treasure”. These strange features are just a few reasons why Zealandia is celebrating this unique species during Tuatara February. By training two ambassador animals to help explain their strange natural history, visitors can get up close and personal or name one of these special creatures. After being brought to Zealandia from Southland Museum, the two tuatara have been in training to help them feel more at ease in human company and comfortable being handled. “The animals are brought out for short periods at a time so they don’t get stressed. But it’s long enough for people to understand how special they are,” said tuatara handler, Ron Goudswaard. “The male is quite relaxed, but the female is still a little nervous. It certainly helps to have warm hands to make them feel at ease.” This is the first time that Zealandia has trained tuatara to interact with the public. Visitors can expect to learn more about tuatara during a brief talk by Zealandia guides. “It’s a family-friendly event and a very special opportunity. We also have a Children’s Trail, colouring competition and an opportunity to name one of the ambassadors.” said Zealandia educator, Sue Lum. “Having the chance to work so closely with them is a privilege and watching children go from being slightly frightened to absolutely awestruck makes it very worthwhile.” It is hoped that Tuatara February will increase awareness about tuatara conservation and research in the sanctuary to contribute to their ongoing survival as a species. FACTS: Tuatara are a rare reptile found only in New Zealand. Tuatara were extinct from the mainland since the late 1700’s until they were released at Zealandia in 2005. Why are tuatara important? Tuatara are the only living member of the Sphenodontia order. Their ancestors were well represented by many species during the age of the dinosaurs. This makes them important in understanding reptile evolution. Tuatara reproduction is affected by temperature. The temperature that eggs experience during incubation will determine the sex of the hatchlings. Scientists suspect that global warming could cause the extinction of tuatara. Once a population has more males than females, not enough young can be produced to replace old animals. For more information, or to find out how tuatara breed without a penis, contact Kimberley Collins Communications and Marketing Coordinator 04 920 9205 021 049 1436 kimberley.collins@visitzealandia.com

    • Little spotted kiwi chick is returned to Zealandia
      • The rehabilitated little spotted kiwi is released into the Zealandia eco-sanctuary. (Photo: Kimberley Collins) A little spotted kiwi has been re-released into the Zealandia eco-sanctuary after its successful rehabilitation at Wellington Zoo. The kiwi was first noticed by a member of the public while on an evening walk along the perimeter of Zealandia. They contacted staff who were concerned that the bird was out and about in daylight. Conservation rangers were quick to the scene and able to capture the bird for delivery to The Nest Te Kōhanga at Wellington Zoo where it has been undergoing treatment. After receiving a full health check, the bird was diagnosed with coccidiosis, a disease cause by a single-celled intestinal parasite, which is very common in young kiwi. This is thought to be the most likely cause of its rapid weight loss. The bird’s eye was also treated after it was discovered to be irritated by a foreign object – thought to be an insect leg. “The kiwi looked great and was ready to go home” explained Wellington Zoo Veterinarian, Baukje Lenting. “It currently weighs 525 grams – up from its arrival weight of 350 grams and it is eating well.” said Ms Lenting. Zealandia Chief Executive, Hilary Beaton says she’s grateful to staff at Wellington Zoo for their care of the bird, as well as the member of the public who reported the sick kiwi. “It’s great to have the public involved with our restoration project and acting as our eyes on the nature around the sanctuary” said Beaton. “Wellington Zoo has excellent facilities and continues to be incredibly supportive when the rehabilitation of native species is required.” The little spotted kiwi has been released into the predator-free sanctuary where it will have the best second chance at life. Members of the public can get involved with the Zealandia kiwi monitoring programme during their annual Kiwi Call Count in Autumn. FACTS: Kiwi are endemic to New Zealand and classified as “at risk, but recovering” by the Department of Conservation. Little spotted kiwi were extinct on the mainland from 1875 and confined to offshore islands. Little spotted kiwi were released at Zealandia in 2000. Zealandia is home to the mainland population in New Zealand. The little spotted kiwi population in Zealandia is estimated to be between 100 – 120 birds. END For further questions or comments, please reply to this email or contact: Kimberley Collins Communications and Marketing Coordinator – Zealandia kimberley.collins@visitzealandia.com +64 4 920 9205 +64 21 049 1436

    • Lead Roofing is Bittersweet for Urban Kākā
      • Wellington Zoo veterinarian, Baukje Lenting takes blood from a kākā chick at Zealandia (Photo: Miriam Harris) Zealandia is working with Massey University and Wellington Zoo to investigate a recent increase in cases of lead poisoning in urban kākā populations around Wellington. “Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that is reported to have a sweet taste – especially to parrots.” said Zealandia conservation manager, Raewyn Empson. “Kākā are extremely intelligent birds and they are known for their inquisitive nature. They will often chew on lead nails and flashings that are common on the roof fixtures of older houses.” One way that Wellington residents can reduce the number of lead poisoning cases is by not feeding the kākā. “We have heard of large flocks of kākā arriving in some backyards to wait for their evening feeds and this is when they’re getting their fix.” said Raewyn. Zealandia recognizes that the Wellington community wants to help and has released information on their website about what food is best to feed birds and what to avoid for the sake of maintaining the ongoing health of the birds. They strongly urge people who choose to feed kākā that they ensure their roof fixtures are not lead-based. “One family near the sanctuary has removed the lead nails in their roof and replaced them with something less appealing for the kākā to chew on” said Zealandia chief executive, Hilary Beaton “Obviously we don’t expect everyone to do this, but this family’s actions are a great example of taking charge and adapting to a city with such a strong urban bird population.” “The best we can do in the meantime is to work with Massey University and Wellington Zoo to better understand exactly how lead is affecting the health of kākā .” Veterinary staff from Wellington Zoo visited Zealandia this morning to take blood samples from 9 chicks in the sanctuary. These have been rushed to Massey University where they will be tested for lead concentrations. “Every time a chick came out of its nest to be sampled, the trees would be full of inquisitive adults checking us out. Samples are on the courier to Massey University without a hitch and the results should be back within the next few days.” said Wellington Zoo Veterinarian, Baukje Lenting. Similar studies have been done in the South Island with the kākā ’s close relative, kea. The notoriously inquisitive and destructive nature of these birds has similarly brought them into contact with human hazards such as lead-based roof fixtures. These studies have provided useful insight and baseline information on lead concentrations within the kea population that prompted the removal of lead-based roofing from backcountry Department of Conservation huts throughout the South Island. Kākā are endemic to New Zealand and classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation with numbers declining throughout New Zealand. Kākā had disappeared as a breeding species from Wellington by the end of the 19th century. Kākā were first released in the Zealandia sanctuary in 2002, Wellington Zoo has also contributed Kākā to this population. The kākā population in Wellington is estimated to be between 200 – 250 birds. This does not account for un-banded birds and chicks hatched outside of the sanctuary. For more information, please contact: Kimberley Collins Zealandia Communications & Marketing Coordinator +64 21 049 1436 +64 4 920 9205 kimberley.collins@visitzealandia.com

    • Taking the birdsong beyond Wellington
      • Photo: Peter Laurenson The 500th kākā to be banded at Zealandia received its 2013 blue leg band on Wednesday 20th of November. This milestone is reached just 11 years after the founding population of 6 captive-reared birds were released in the sanctuary. Just preceeding the 500th banding tomorrow was the transfer today of the first 2 of 10 kākā nestlings. This is also a significant milestone for Zealandia, being the first active transfer of kākā from the sanctuary in support of another restoration programme. The nestlings are bound for Pukaha-Mount Bruce, where they will be hand reared until they are able to feed themselves. Then they will be taken to Boundary Stream, a Department of Conservation project in the Hawkes Bay, where they will spend time acclimatising in an aviary and, all going well, then be released before March 2014 to allow them to get familiar with the local environment before winter sets in. Raewyn Empson, Conservation Manager at Zealandia explains that “Kākā are a threatened species but we have shown that they will thrive in a safe environment, even in our capital city. It is very satisfying for our population to have reached the size where it can be sustainably cropped to help the national recovery of kākā by transfer to another restoration project.” Kākā chicks usually leave the nest at 60-70 days old, but they remain dependent on their parents for food, becoming independent about 2-3 months later. The nestlings at c 39-40 days old will be taken from different nests where there are at least 4 chicks, so that at least 3 remain to fledge naturally in the valley. All going well, another 3 chicks will follow next week. The first clutches to be “cropped” are from long established pairs, one pair nesting successfully every year since 2004, the second pair nesting successfully every year since 2007, so they come from good parents. At the receiving end of the transfer, Chris Lester, Conservation Partnerships Manager, Kaimanatu Kahui Manutaki at the Department of Conservation adds that “Staff at the Pukaha Mount Bruce Captive Breeding facility are pleased to apply their experience with the Kākā Recovery Programme to the rearing of these kākā chicks from Zealandia. This project is testament to how Zealandia, Maungaharuru Boundary Stream and Pukaha Mount Bruce are working closely to ensure the species recovery programme succeeds. Kākā are well served by numerous conservation projects throughout the Lower North Island including programmes at these three establishments and Cape Sanctuary (Hawke’s Bay) and Project Kākā in the Tararua Ranges”. For more information also please contact: Kimberley Collins: Zealandia Communications & Marketing Coordinator on 021 049 1436, 04 920 9205

    • Zealandia launches lower price structure and enhanced visitor experience
      • Zealandia launches lower price structure and enhanced visitor experience Further details can be found at www.visitzealandia.com/freshlook Zealandia’s latest enhancements and revised price structure, available from tomorrow, 18th October 2013, have been designed so that a greater number of Wellingtonians can visit the eco-sanctuary, and benefit from the unique opportunity to engage with nature in the heart of the city. General Admission has been reduced significantly. Adult entry, previously $28.50 for entry to the valley and exhibition, is now $17.50 and Family Admission has dropped from $71.50 to $44 (two adults and up to three children). A new “come back tomorrow” system will include a complimentary next day return, allowing visitors to explore the many experiences available even when their time in Wellington is limited. Membership remains a great way for locals to support conservation and connect with Zealandia’s activities and now Zealandia’s members have more advocacy power, bringing up to five friends for half price on any day visit, as well as enjoying their existing discounts and privileges. Denise Church, Chair of Karori Sanctuary Trust’s Board, explained the reason and timing for the change. “Our conservation successes are widely recognised, from growing kiwi populations to the kākā which range widely over Wellington and our work with communities and schools in the halo project. But we’ve heard the feedback that, for some, our pricing was a barrier to visiting. We undertook research to explore what the right price would be and consulted with a number of Zealandia’s stakeholders. We’ve needed to think carefully about the balance between accessibility and meeting our obligations to generate a significant proportion of what it takes to run the sanctuary’s restoration, education, research and visitor experience operations. All our revenue goes to sustaining these critical activities. “The formation of an Enhanced Partnership with Wellington City Council created the conditions needed for us to make these changes and we are grateful for Council’s funding support. Council recognised that Zealandia plays a key role in bringing birdsong back to our living city and that the benefits delivered to Wellingtonians are significant and wide ranging. “With increased visitation from locals we hope to make an even bigger difference as part of Wellington’s natural capital, giving more people the chance to experience the natural benefits of our native flora and fauna and to support conservation action in Wellington.” All General Admissions will now include entry to all parts of the Zealandia experience: the valley, exhibition, and tours and talks. Peter Monk, Visitor Experience Manager, explained “The exhibition is a vital part of our storytelling, helping to crystallise what visitors learn in the valley and put it in context. Our continent, Zealandia, is 80 million years old and our catastrophic loss of biodiversity and world-renowned conservation efforts are compelling stories that we can share, empowering people with the knowledge they need to make a difference. We want all visitors to have easy access to these powerful stories. “Customers consistently comment that engaging with Guides as part of General Admission is key to the richness of a Zealandia experience. So, we’ve increased the number and variety of tours and talks to share more knowledge, tell more stories and enhance the sense of wonder and discovery for visitors of all ages. We’ll also roll out a series of new special activities and themed tours, starting with Kākā Week on 17 November, adding to our popular pre-booked guided tours such as Zealandia By Night. Two new tour products commence in December but are available to book now: Breakfast, Bubbles and Birdsong, and Walk the Wild Side.” Raewyn Empson, Conservation Manager, described how the sanctuary offers a great deal more than a pleasant bush walk. “Rare and endangered species are flourishing here, many of which have returned to the mainland for the first time in hundreds of years. Although our kākā range over the city, it’s only at the sanctuary you’ll encounter the unique combination of sights and sounds that includes takahē, tuatara, robins, saddlebacks, hihi and lots more. These species are living wild just ten minutes from the city, it’s incredible. We have an extraordinary living laboratory, with researchers developing knowledge that will benefit biodiversity throughout New Zealand. We’re doing what we can to turn the tide of extinctions on our unique natural heritage, providing a safe breeding habitat, enabling research, education and inspiring others to get involved”. Church urged people to take a fresh look at Zealandia. “The most common feedback we receive from people who come after a few years away is how much the place has changed – how much more bird life, things to do and see, fascinating and informative tours and of course the excellent exhibition and Rata Café. With fifteen years of restoration efforts behind us, the valley has a more established feel to it now and we hope you’ll come and see for yourself the progress made by our community of over 450 volunteers, committed staff and key partners such as the City Council and Victoria University of Wellington.” Further details can be found at www.visitzealandia.com/freshlook [ENDS] For more information please contact: Lauren Schaer Communications and Marketing Coordinator (04) 920 9205. Lauren.Schaer@visitzealandia.com Or Peter Laurenson Sales and Marketing Manager (04) 920 9204. Peter.Laurenson@visitzealandia.com

    • A rare chance to see threatened pied shag chicks, up close at Zealandia
      • A wonderful opportunity to see a threatened species up close Photo By Bill Beale Pied shags are classed as Nationally Vulnerable – the same threatened species classification as kōkako Photo By Bernard Smith var slider;jQuery(document).ready(function(){slider = jQuery('#basicslider').bxSlider({startingSlide: 0,controls: true});jQuery('.thumbs a').click(function(e){e.preventDefault();var thumbIndex = jQuery('.thumbs a').index(this);slider.goToSlide(thumbIndex);jQuery('.thumbs a').removeClass('pager-active');jQuery(this).addClass('pager-active');return false;});jQuery('.thumbs a:first').addClass('pager-active');}); Never before seen so close at Zealandia, two threatened pied shag pairs have nested near the public path and are raising chicks a mere three metres from entranced visitors. Previous nests have been across the lake or hidden by bush. Pied shags (kāruhiruhi) are classed as Nationally Vulnerable – the same threatened species classification as North Island kōkako, kākā and falcon (kārearea). The species is in decline in parts of New Zealand but making a return to Wellington. “I think it’s very exciting,” said Zealandia Conservation Manager Raewyn Empson. “There weren’t any pied shags in the valley before our fence went up. We had sightings of a single pied shag over 2005-06, two were seen in June 2008 and that shot up to nine in the same year. It was 2010 before we saw the first successful nest – when you consider our population of 80 or 90 now, with 20 nests, you can see how quickly they’ve made themselves at home”. It’s unusual for the birds to nest in such a low and open location. Possibly a sign that the population at Zealandia is nearing a stable maximum for the available habitat. “They have tended to nest in a big macrocarpa that hangs over the lower lake but we’ve seen them in tutu and, this year, even in tree ferns,” said Empson. “This new location on exposed tree fall, very near the surface of the water and so close to visitors, is remarkable and a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see them”. Empson believes it likely pied shag colonies at Makara river mouth, which grew rapidly from 1996 to 2003, had outgrown the habitat and led to the newer population establishing at the sanctuary, just 10 minutes from downtown Wellington. “They found their own way here and brought others with them,” said Empson, who monitors the sanctuary’s shags monthly with help from devoted volunteers. From half an hour before sunrise as the shags fly out to feed in the harbour they and their nests are counted. “One of our newer volunteers is Chris Gee. He also skippers our electric boat on weekends and keeps an eye on what all four species of shag are up to on the lake,” said Empson. “The only shag species here but not nesting yet is the little black shag”. The nests can be seen now and, if successful, the chicks will fledge around late November, continuing to be fed by their parents for a further 2-3 months. Visitors can see the nests from the pontoon walkway, 10 minutes walk from Zealandia’s Visitor and Education Centre entrance, or from a trip on the electric boat (depending on weather/availability) at weekends and school holidays. For more information please contact: Lauren Schaer Communications and Marketing Coordinator Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience (04) 920 9205 lauren.schaer@visitzealandia.com Main line: (04) 920 9200

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