Zoo staff hunt for puweto: west Auckland
Auckland Zoo staff have joined Matuku Link colleagues to scour for the elusive puweto.
Puweto, or the small dark coloured rails, live in freshwater wetlands scattered throughout the country, with their largest populations in the North Island.
The Matuku Link is a 37 hectare native forest block in west Auckland's Bethell's Valley.
The reserve connects many protected areas including Ark in the Park, Habitat Te Henga, Forrest Ridge and Matuku Reserve.
Staff from the zoo and Matuku Link joined volunteers to search for the birds in Bethells wetlands.
The presence of small dark coloured rails in a particular wetland signals the overall health of the ecosystem.
But more than 90 per cent of New Zealand's wetland areas have been drained and cleared for agriculture which has yielded a major impact on all species.
Puweto need vegetation such as raupo and kuta in which to forage and nest.
Surveyors used a recorded sound of the birds' calls to aid monitoring.
They saw two puweto and netted 13 call responses at 38 listening posts.
Photo: John Sumich
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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76.4% Yes
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22.3% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Chrstmas light show
Hi everyone.
I have put my Xmas lights up and am currently doing the final testing.
This is an animated show set to music, so drive by viewing is not the best.
There are speakers out so you will be able to hear the music that goes with the lights.
As last year, I will have my shows running from 1st of December until 31st of Dec inclusive.
As I have neighbours, Please respect them and their properties.
Show times will be,
Sunday to Thursday 9pm to 10pm.
Friday and Saturday 9pm to 10:30pm.
Last but not least the address.
28 Harrington Rd
Henderson.
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