Conservation dog has a nose for kororā
Mena is a super dog hero.
Certified by the Department of Conservation to work as a conservation dog, she has done her bit to keep kororā (little blue penguins) safe on Cobham Drive.
Wellington City Council engineer Veronica Byrne sees careful penguin management as a top priority for the Cobham Drive project, which is transforming this previously neglected area into a much more appealing place for people to walk, run, bike, scoot and spend time.
Every morning before work begins, workers checks for kororā which could have taken refuge over night.
They check under and around vehicles, and in the areas where rock is going to be moved from and to – using a torch when necessary, and a special camera to help them see into the crevices between rocks.
Mena has also played a key role. A New Zealand-born Hungarian Vizsla, she is specially trained to find places where penguins may be present, or have been regularly frequenting.
The detection experts from Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute (KORI) have carried out three searches so far, checking vegetation and rocks along the foreshore and mapping spots where special care needs to be taken.
Penguins tend to avoid the construction zone, but if one is spotted, which has happened on a few occasions, work in the immediate vicinity stops, and the team seek advice expert advice on the best course of action.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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88.6% Yes, it's fair
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10.8% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
unnecessary traffic management marine drive eastern bays near Sorrento bay
was gob smacked to see traffic management in place marine drive near Sorrento Bay Eastbourne, Traffic lights in place being managed manually by people in vehicles. and why - well because there were cones across one lane. there were no road works in progress no machinery on road. How many thousands of dollars is this costing the rate payers? Why is this allowed to happen? this looks to be a 24-hour operation doesn't anybody care besides me! Does Eastbourne have councillor if so can someone please advise me they need to say something about this ridiculous situation
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