Wildlife Photographer of the Year opens
Bald eagles, a Weddell seal, a gentoo penguin, a three-toed sloth, a grey whale and a curious racoon are just some of the many animals featured in The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, opening on Friday at Auckland Museum.
This week, visitors to the Museum will get their first opportunity to immerse themselves in some of the most vibrant, fascinating images collected this year of the vast and varied nature of life on Earth. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is the world’s most prestigious international nature photography exhibition, direct from London's Natural History Museum.
The longest-running nature photography exhibition in the world, it is known for inspiring curiosity and wonder, while also reminding us of the fragility of our planet and our responsibility to protect it.
Among those featured is the work of 14-year-old Aucklander, Cruz Erdmann, who won the title of Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his snap of a bigfin squid illuminating the inky blackness of the ocean.
Don't miss your chance to see up close the images that have got the whole world talking. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is free with Museum entry.
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.
Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.
Tactile texture
Welcome texture into your room by using leftover Resene Anaglypta wallpaper to accentuate furniture and décor items. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.