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    • Rare fern rediscovered.
      • I’m one of the Botany Curators at Te Papa, and ferns are one of my specialties.  New Zealand has about 200 native ferns, and some of them are very rare.  We recently rediscovered one rare fern that had been ‘lost’.  I was beginning to wonder if it had become extinct, but fortunately it has not.  Still, the known total of individuals is still only 9, and this population is only a goat-lunch away from extinction! Me, on top of the Ruahine Ranges. No rare ferns sighted up here, but interesting nonetheless. The rediscovered fern is a maidenhair spleenwort.  It had been definitively identified from just three New Zealand sites, all in Hawke’s Bay, and all dating to the 1950’s.  The localities of these three sites were not precisely recorded, and no one I talked to knew of a living population.   I enlisted the help of the Manawatu Botanical Society to search one of these sites (the most precise one, which involved searching several square km rather than several tens of square km).  I wasn’t very optimistic, given the amount of time since it had been previously collected and that I had already looked at a number of similar Hawke’s Bay sites.  But, we found it - 9 plants in one very small area.  There is another maidenhair spleenwort in NZ, and it is quite common.  These two maidenhair spleenworts look similar, but they have different chromosome numbers; the common one has six sets of chromosomes while the rare one has four sets.  This kind of difference is usually treated at the subspecies or even species level in ferns.   Unfortunately, the present taxonomy, or formal scientific naming, for these ferns is not adequate.  We hope to sort this out in the next year or so.  They have both been called Asplenium trichomanes, but this fern does not occur in NZ (at least when interpreted in a narrow sense).  The rare maidenhair spleenwort in NZ has also been called Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens; whether this is correct remains to be established. Maidenhair spleenwort. This is the rare species, but the common one looks very similar. The two maidenhair spleenworts usually occur on or near limestone.  They can be distinguished from all other ferns in NZ by their undivided, black, almost smooth stems, and by having their reproductive structures in lines away from the margins of the undersides of their leaves.  This particular arrangement of the reproductive structures characteristics all of the spleenwort (Asplenium) species, of which there are about 20 in NZ (and some 600 in the world). I’d be interested in learning of additional maidenhair spleenwort sites in Hawke’s Bay.  Both species of maidenhair spleenwort have been recorded from the Hawke’s Bay, so any new finds may be the rare or the common species.  I would need to closely inspect them to be sure.  But, please, do not remove them from the wild!  Email (leonp@tepapa.govt.nz) or phone (04 381 7261) me the locality details. Te Papa’s Collections Online includes a photo of a maidenhair spleenwort specimen collected from the Hawke’s Bay in 1881 (it’s the common species, rather than the rare one).  The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network also has more information about maidenhair spleenworts.       
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    • Another season, another reason for making coffee
      • How hard can it be to make a really good cup of coffee? The correct answer, as any Wellingtonian knows, is “Really bloody hard!” A good barista is a thing to be cherished, and the best of the best come together every year for the Huhtamaki New Zealand Barista Championship to show off their skills and find one winner to stand tall for Kiwi coffee culture at the World Barista Championship in Vienna. Thanks to the championship organisers, we got to spend some time hanging out with one of this year’s competitors, Richard Legg from Coffee Supreme. Back in 2009, Richard was spending his gap year making coffee in his home town of Feilding when the Supreme account rep for the cafe where he worked encouraged him to enter the championship. He came first in the Wellington region heat and sixth overall. Now, after a couple of years at university, realising halfway through his degree that he was going to go back to making coffee as soon as he graduated and so there was really no reason not to cut to the chase, he’s saddling up for another go. The Wellingtonista’s videographer-in-residence, Tom A., and I listened intently as he told us how it’s done: You can find Richard at Coffee Supreme on Hopper Street Monday–Friday until 12.30, and the Huhtamaki New Zealand Barista Championship is being held at the Michael Fowler Centre from 23–25 March: heats on Friday and Saturday, with finals and semi-finals on Sunday. Spectators are welcome and entry is free.
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    • Sporting students staying motivated during Lockdown
      • What does the lockdown mean for sporting students? How has it affected them and what are they doing to stay fit and motivated? Two students who were preparing to compete about now were Queen Margaret College’s Mollie Nicol, who has just recently made the Long List for the New Zealand Junior Rowing Team, and Wellington Girls’ College Sports Captain and National 800m champion Emma Douglass, who was recently in top form at the Regional Athletics meeting. We put a few questions to each below. Emma Douglass crossing the finish line at Nationals College Sport Wellington: Please tell us what you were preparing for before the Lockdown? Mollie: I was involved with rowing at QMC and we have been training since September last year till mid-march when we found out that due to corona virus that our Maadi Cup Nationals would not continue. We were only two weeks away until we were heading down south to Twizel to compete. Emma: I was training for the final months of the track season. I was due to go over to Australia in March and also California in April to compete and finish my season. Both of these were cancelled prior. CSW: what you are doing to keep fit and train? Mollie: Once school was cleared, I was able to get an erg from school and take it home so I am able to do some ergs. My dad loves to run so my sister, him and I like to go for runs around the neighbourhood. Before the lockdown, we already had a small gym in our garage that included weights and an exercise bike. There are plenty of options for me to keep fit. Emma: Currently, I am going on runs, changing what distance/ terrain/ pace. Along with that, I have set up my wind trainer so I can bike at home. My gym is also doing online sessions which I am doing twice a week CSW: Please share a lockdown sports practice or training tip for your school mates and others out there in the same situation? Mollie: Something that has helped me during the last week was to get into a routine. I know that it is the holidays but I find it easier getting up earlier and getting it done. In the mornings it is better to do something more challenging as you are fresh and then your afternoon session could be hard or something not as hard but you will still gain from it. Emma: I would recommend that people try to just keep your routine and training schedule as normal a possible. This means your body doesn’t get shocked by an increase or decrease in training. For example, if you train every day, try to do something every day to mimic this. This will also keep you fit throughout the lockdown. CSW: Are you in contact with your sporting friends about the above and are you motivating each other remotely? Mollie: Yes I have been in contact with my friends and teammates and they have asked for some training programmes as they are stuck on what to do. Emma: I mostly train alone but for my training where I’m usually with someone I try to keep in touch to stay motivated. I will also track all the workouts I do on my watch so I can account for everything I am doing. I can also send these onto my couch.   Are you a student in Wellington who is involved with sport and wants to feature in an article like this? Fill out the form HERE and send it to james@collegesport.org.nz to be considered. -Story courtesy of College Sport Media The post Sporting students staying motivated during Lockdown appeared first on College Sport Wellington.
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    • Marley and the microchip
      • [Show as slideshow] A couple from Porirua are celebrating after being reunited with their dog Marley, one year after she went missing from their property, thanks to a microchip the size of a grain of rice, that we implanted!! The reunion, which took place at our Newtown animal centre, came after Marley was picked up, by chance, by two members of our Animal Rescue Unit (ARU) who spotted the 19 month-old bitch running in amongst traffic on State Highway Two near Petone Bowl. Marley was brought into our care and a quick scan showed that she had a microchip. A call to her registered owners by our Senior Inspector Ben Lakomy confirmed that Marley had been missing since June 2010. At this time, nothing is known of Marley’s whereabouts during the last year, but her physical appearance suggests she may have had a pretty rough time of it. Not only is she is extremely underweight and in very poor body condition, but it would also appear that she has recently had a litter of puppies – attempts by Inspector Lakomy to locate any puppies near to where she was discovered proved unsuccessful. Marley is currently in our care  and will remain so until she has gained enough weight and her condition has sufficiently improved for her to go home. Senior Inspector Lakomy said that the successful reunion was perfect testament to the benefits of microchipping your pet. “Getting Marley microchipped was one of the best decisions her owners could have made. She now has the chance to be back with her rightful owners and to be properly cared for once again” he said. We would like to hear from anyone who has information regarding Marley’s disappearance or where she has been since and with whom. Please contact us on 04 389 8044 ext. 812. We strongly recommend that all pets are microchipped. A microchip is an implant that is inserted under the skin of an animal without the need for anesthetic. It is about the size of a grain of rice, is an inert device with no independent power source and does not transmit a signal. All microchips have a unique identification number that is read using a hand held scanner. Microchips are a safe and effective way to identify your pet – you just need to make sure that the chip is registered and your contact details are kept up to date. We offer a microchipping service and anyone interested in getting their pet microchipped should contact them on 04 389 8044 ext. 0 You can read Marley’s story on Stuff.co.nz.
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      • Porirua, Wellington Region, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • DANKE!!
      • Well, I did tell you that Record Store Day 2019 would be something special…! (pic by Tim Gruar) I mean, at that stage there was only the suggestion that blimmin’ Kurt Vile might be joining us, and we didn’t know for sure until we got a call that he and the Violators were on their way from the airport, having played 2 sold out shows in Auckland, and ahead of another sold out show here in Wellington. And it NEARLY didn’t happen, but we are so glad it did – and if you were here, good for you – it really was quite amazing to have one the most singular and unique voices in modern songwriting playing for us all here on this special day. He and his band and management were absolutely delightful, huge music fans, and KV even stuck around to sign albums and pose for pics, for which we are hugely grateful and humbled. (pic by Tim Gruar) We also enjoyed terrific sets from ex-Slow Boater/ Chill/ Verlaine Caroline Easther, who ran through some fine songs from her debut solo album, “Lucky”, with her wingman, guitar ace Alan Galloway, along with ‘Friend Of Slow Boat’ Lawrence Arabia, who shared some choice selections from his brilliant new album “Singles Club” (which may just be his finest hour yet…) (pic by Tim Gruar) So finally – can we just say a huge thankyou to everyone who made the 13th so special – to PJ who always designs us the most beautiful posters, to Ziggy from San Fran, soundguy extraordinaire Bernie Gruschow, the good people at Music Planet, Drunken Piano Touring, our suppliers, especially Universal, Rhythmethod and Southbound, to Kurt, Caroline and James/ Lawrence for the wonderful live entertainment – and finally, to you guys, the punters, some of whom queued in the cold from early in the morning to get your mitts on limited RSD collectables, and were, without exception, some of the friendliest, most enthusiastic and genuine music lovers we have encountered. The whole day felt more than just a little magical, which is more than you could reasonably expect, right…?! Give us a year to recover, and we’ll see if we can’t do it all over again, huh?! XX The Slow Boat Crew XX
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      • Slow Boat Records, Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6040, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • Weta inspires Wellington
      • Weta Workshop is inspiring Wellingtonians and bringing together artists, inventors, technicians, geeks, and high-tech workers together in a community that is benefiting the city widely. Weta Workshop is a shining star of Wellington’s creative sector but the company’s influence continues... Read More ›
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    • Spector - Inspired Specticle
      • Don't miss this "Superb Spector - Inspired Spectacle" Only one more week! The BeatGirls are bringing the beat back to Circa with a sensational look at the magic and mad life of musical producer Phil Spector! Reviews have been glowing for the show and with only ONE MORE WEEK left in the season, we hope to see you at Circa Theatre soon for a swinging good time!  THEATREVIEW - Virginia Kennard “Spector is an impressive range of some 21 well-known hits that showcase the incredible vocal range and talents of the BeatGirls: Andrea Sanders, Caroline McLaughlin and Kali Kopae.” “The arrival on-stage of honorary BeatGirl Jason Chasland ups the energy levels, the BeatGirls demonstrating their prowess as back-up dancers during ‘Pretty Little Angel Eyes' then sublimely pulling back focus with ‘Spanish Harlem', ‘That Loving Feeling', ‘Don't Worry Baby' and ‘I Can Hear Music'. Jason is easily a limelight-stealer with his spectacular charisma and universe-filling voice, not least with Ray Charles' ‘What I'd Say' in which The Beatgirls' choreography is well-crafted and Jason's superb waddling physicality a crowd favourite.” “Overall: a superb Spector-inspired spectacle.”  THE DOMINION POST - Ewen Coleman “ . . . although it is a factual biography of his life in reasonably chronological order, the humorous and almost irreverent way it is told, with many delightfully animated gestures supplementing the dialogue, makes the telling of the Spector story engaging and very entertaining.” “If the music of the 60's was what you grew up with, then this show is a great nostalgic trip. For those who didn't, go and see it anyway and experience one of our greatest musical eras.”  LUMIERE - Michael Boyes “The Beatgirls (Sanders, Caroline McLaughlin, Kali Kopae) excel in every particular; voices are crisp and clear, and can grow and diminish in intensity with ease. Even more impressive is each member’s capacity to perform lead and back-up vocals, to the credit of their skill, professionalism and dedication.” “I would be greatly at fault not to mention the brilliant Jason Chasland, who for the duration of the show has been dubbed an honorary Beatgirl. A voice of remarkable scale and breadth, any attempt at description seems more infomercial than observation; he croons a lullaby one moment and discharges a power ballad the next. His impersonations are hilarious for their accuracy and comic timing, whilst his natural stage persona is staggeringly confident.” “This is a good night out, quite frankly. Quirky, fun, upbeat. So if you feel like a sing-a-long, or maybe just have a hankering for nostalgia, pop along and enjoy the ride.”  KIWIBLOG - David Farrar “I saw the Beat Girls for the first time in 2010. They were great. So how do you beat the Beat Girls? Simple – you add in Jason (Jay) Chasland. Chasland was a rock and roll star. At first glance you might think he is an unlikely star being not very tall and slightly chubby. But my God he was a great performer. He sang and crooned the songs marvelously, and had a real charisma and presence about him. His Ray Charles parody was side sidesplittingly funny. Chasland alone would be worth going to see.” “The performance is effectively a recital of the life of Phil Spector – from his early genius success through to his conviction for murder. In between numbers, they tell you about his various groups and songs. He may have been a demented misogynistic bastard, but he was a hell of a talented one.” “It was a great night’s entertainment and I just can’t imagine anyone not enjoying the performance, unless they have been genetically modified in some way.”
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      • Circa Theatre, Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)



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    • Evans Bay Intermediate
      • Evans Bay Intermediate is the only specialist provider of Education for Years 7 and 8 in the Eastern Suburbs. The school was opened in 1964 and has a roll of approximately 450 students. It caters for students in the Seatoun, Miramar, Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay areas with an ethnic mix of approximately 60% European, 12.5% Maori, 15% Asian, 9.5% Pacific Island.
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      • Our doors opened in 1991, since then we have been serving Wellingtonians innovative, modern food as well as some classics such as Lamb Shanks, Fillet Bearnaise and Creme Brulee. Reservations are accepted for lunch only. Dinner is casual dining so just come along and you will feel more than welcome.
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    • Learn English NZ
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    • The life and times of James Walter Chapman-Taylor
      • ‘The life and times of James Walter Chapman-Taylor’ enables us to enter into the life and times of a man, a family, a society, and ways of thinking and acting different to, yet not so distant from, our own. We enter the world of an architect, who is also an artist; builder, craftsman; a theosophist, an astrologer, a photographer, a furniture maker.
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    • East by West Ferry
      • Experience the best of Wellington with a cruise out on the city's harbour ferry service. Up to 15 return scheduled sailings daily between Queens Wharf/Matiu Somes Island/Days Bay. Additionally in the weekends our new round Harbour Explorer Tours include stops at Petone, Seatoun, Days Bay, Matiu Somes Island & Queens Wharf.
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    • Sarah Free
      • I started this site as a forum to discuss all sorts of things related to urban Wellington living, and so it will continue. I hope at least some people are finding it interesting and/or useful!
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    • Lower Hutt Amateur Athletic Club
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    • Masala Restaurant
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    • Glenside - the halfway
      • Glenside is a suburb located between Wellington and Porirua, centrally located at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island. It is mainly rural zoned and is between the neighbouring communities of Johnsonville and Tawa on the old Porirua Road. Hills, streams and rural landscape characterise the area. The resident population is 336
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    • Our Bar
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