Protecting our wetlands and critically endangered wildlife
Wetlands are a precious part of our ecosystem, acting like the kidneys of the earth, cleaning the water that flows into them. They trap sediment and soils, filter out contaminants; can reduce flooding and protect coastal land from storm surge; and return nitrogen to the atmosphere. In New Zealand they support the greatest concentration of wildlife out of any other habitat and yet 90% of our wetlands have been cleared.
Many of the community conservation groups in the Hauraki Coromandel are working to protect remaining wetlands and the endangered species that inhabit them, such as the Matuku-Hūrepo or Australasian Bittern, pictured below.
This is a strikingly beautiful and secretive wetland bird that has perfected invisibility. Its colour and striations exactly mimic the close, vertical world of reeds and raupō, especially when it lifts its dagger beak right up, narrows itself to angular reed-thinness and sways gently with the wind-rustling stems. The male’s distinctive mating call is a sonorous, haunting boom that reverberates through its wetland habitat - the call of the wild.
Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?
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36.1% Yes, it serves us well
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63.1% No, I have concerns
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
Do you know anyone whose business will be affected by the tariff changes?
Donald Trump has thrown the world’s economy a curve-ball, and there’s more chaos to come, according to Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief Don Good.
However, Good said Waikato and New Zealand exporters have been spared the worst of them, “and that's probably attributable to the good work that has been done by Winston Peters and his team of negotiators”.
Do you know anyone whose business will be affected by the tariff changes? Tell us in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Poll: Do you like how the old facade has been retained?
Passersby on Hamilton’s Victoria Street got the first look at another section of the Regional Theatre’s new façade after scaffolding was removed on Wednesday.
The appearance of a fresh section of the restored plaster façade of the old hotel frontage is another visible milestone for locals and visitors in the ongoing construction of the 1300-seat theatre that promises to revolutionise entertainment in the city.
Do you like how the old facade has been retained? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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100% Yes
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0% No
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