Deer becoming a urban problem in Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt residents are giving up their vege patches and losing their lawn as deer move in on urban areas.
No one keeps tabs on deer numbers but anecdotally they are turning up in a range of urban areas including Naenae, Stokes Valley, Eastbourne and Wainuiomata, as well as the Belmont Regional Park.
The Hutt City Council has a $15,000 fund for culling deer, which is administered by Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Department of Conservation’s biodiversity threats advisor Dave Carlton says the deer that help themselves to Taylor’s garden point to a much bigger problem.
There are similar issues in urban areas throughout New Zealand and DOC is working on a national framework to come up with a strategy to deal with deer.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below