Birdstories
New Zealand birds – their discovery, their place in both Pākehā and Māori worlds, their survival and conservation, and the illustrations and art they have inspired.
Wednesday 12th June
Te Ahumairangi, Ground Floor, National Library of New Zealand.
12.10 – 1pm
Free
In 1873, Walter Buller’s A History of the Birds of New Zealand introduced our extraordinary birds to the world, and in doing so led many New Zealanders to appreciate them for the first time. This talk draws on Geoff Norman’s book Birdstories, which builds on that legacy, describing the birds’ origins and discoveries, their place in Māori and Pākehā culture. He also looks at changing attitudes and strategies to ensure their conservation and survival, and illustrates his account with how they have been depicted throughout the centuries - the earliest moa hunters’ rock drawings, the watercolours of Cook’s draftsmen, the 19th century ‘fine bird book’ lithography, and the work of our contemporary artists.
Geoff Norman was born in Wellington and has a background in science and environmental studies. He has been involved in publishing for over 30 years, designing, typesetting and producing books.
His first book, Buller’s Birds of New Zealand: the complete work of J G Keulemans, was published in 2012. It was the New Zealand Herald’s Book of the Year in 2012 and a finalist in the 2013 NZ Post Book Awards. BIrdstories, published in 2019, was shortlisted for the Okham New Zealand Book awards.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5.1% Second half of November
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44.3% 1st December
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16.8% A week before Christmas
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32.5% Whenever you wish
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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What gets wet while drying?
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