Red-billed gull/tarāpunga - our most common small gull
The red-billed gull/tarāpunga will be a familiar sight to anyone from Petone or those who walk the lower reaches of the Hutt River. When they are young the legs and beak are darker and they are often confused with our rare black-billed gull. Unfortunately, the numbers of these native gulls have been declining rapidly since the mid-90s, in some places by as much as 50%. We are managing to turn this around though with recent predator control in some areas seeing their numbers stabilising or slightly increasing. The one here on the rock at the estuary is quite young, you can see his bill is transitioning to the characteristic reddy colour. I call the other photo on the wall at Petone Beach "glitch in the matrix".
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?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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54.3% Human-centred experience and communication
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13.8% Critical thinking
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29.3% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
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.
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