Endangered dotterel family killed by cat, devastating Auckland volunteers
A photographer is distraught after the dotterel family she had been documenting was killed by a cat.
Michele Mackenzie, a resident of Snells Beach, has been posting updates on dotterel breeding pair Dott and Donald to her Facebook page since 2019.
Mackenzie, who has had a passion for birds since she was 4 years old, hoped giving the birds names and a narrative would raise awareness of the at-risk species.
Work by volunteers to protect Dott and Donald's nest was rewarded when on November 23, when Dott and Donald successfully hatched two chicks, which volunteers named the Dottettes.
But on Monday, Mackenzie was distraught to discover Donald and the Dottettes had been killed by a cat, leaving Dott alone and confused about her partner’s whereabouts.
See more on Stuff.
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
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✨ This Saturday: Auckland’s Biggest Pre-Loved Kids Market! ✨
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