A warm welcome to our Alaskan godwits
Hi Neighbourly folk it is not Feathered Friend Friday but when I saw this post from Lower Hutt photographer Louise Thomas, I thought it was too good not to use.
Read what she had to say about her godwit/kuaka pictures.
"Sometimes the most extraordinary birds come in the plainest of packaging, and so it is for the bar-tailed godwit/kuaka (Limosa lapponica). Their plain packaging is of course a perfect camouflage - with variegated shades of brown echoing the ripples of mud and sand where they feed.
Seen here foraging on a mud flat at the Waikanae River estuary, they shove their long beaks into the muddy sand and pull up rubbery bits of Godwit-knows-what which they gulp with gusto – not surprising as they are probably absolutely famished.
These migratory birds begin arriving in New Zealand from early September, after an extraordinary often non-stop eight to nine-day 11,000-12,000 km flight from western Alaska.
We are also lucky enough to get the occasional bird on Petone Beach and around the Hutt Estuary, but I was thrilled to see eight in non-breeding plumage congregated on the mud at Waikanae."
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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88.8% Yes, it's fair
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10.5% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
COME AND SEE HISTORY
THE CHRIST CHURCH VISITOR CENTRE OPEN DAY…COME AND SEE HISTORY
NZ history is to be taught in all NZ schools and kura, and this Visitor Centre is the place where some of that history can be displayed.
This new building provides for a place for visitors to gather and to learn more about the church, and the local history it represents, and also to accommodate volunteer guides who can then provide tours of the church and graveyard. It will also provide space for small functions like weddings, and hospitality for visitors. School student visits will be especially encouraged. .
There are some wonderful stories associated with this tiny church, one of the oldest in New Zealand. Te Rauparaha features in some, as does Honiana Te Puni, and Te Whiti O Rongomai, the Hero of Parihaka.
The settlers were a tough breed, and had to be to survive, but they were offered food, shelter and hospitality by the Tangata Whenua, including the whanau of Chief Manihera Matangi, whose father signed te Tiriti O Waitangi. He was a staunch Christian and true friend of the early settlers who, with a number of his descendants, is buried in the churchyard. His family still lives in the Hutt Valley
The Christ Church Taita has set up a trust, The Christ Church Taita Cottage Museum Trust, to provide a Visitor Centre for this heritage taonga, built in 1854 by the first organised group of European settlers to come to NZ, who landed on Pito-One Beach in January 1840
The full cost to establish the completed Visitor Centre is estimated to be $420,000.
So far $350,000 has been raised and spent and the building is up and is now partially complete.
COME AND SEE AND FIND OUT MORE ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3RD FROM NOON-4.30 PM
73 EASTERN HUTT ROAD TAITA LOWER HUTT…FOLLOW THE MOTORWAY SIGNS
Christmas period Plumbing.
Good morning fellow Neighbours, I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Saturday. As Christmas is fast approaching I thought I would send a friendly reminder that Findlays Plumbing Solutions will be closed from the 27th of December - 3rd of January but open for business all other days 24/7. With no additional call out fee over the break, besides Christmas Day and Sundays.
If you have a plumbing issue or want a free quote for anything big or small, feel free to get in touch.
📧contact@findlaysplumbing.co.nz
📞 0273788706
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