Endangered native tree revived
A tree in danger of dying out in New Zealand has been revived thanks to the keen eye of a Porirua City Council nursery employee.
The waiwaka tree, or swamp maire (Syzygium maire), was believed to have completely died off in Porirua until Andrew Jinks discovered a small group of them on his walk home through Rānui last year.
The native wetland tree grows throughout coastal and lowland swamps of the North Island and are important species to regenerate native wetland forests and to protect coastal areas from erosion, but are currently considered critically threatened.
Andrew was heading up Bromley View when a small gully of trees caught his eye. He noticed other natives such as totara and rimu in the gully and decided to take a closer look, spotting the waiwaka.
“It was actually the first time I had seen the tree in person but I knew it had distinctive pale and flaky bark, so I took a couple snaps and sent it to a local ecologist friend of mine to help classify it.” The last reported siting of the waiwaka growing in Porirua was over 100 years ago but Andrew and Porirua City Council will reintroduce the tree to our city’s harbour, parks, and surrounding forests.
Hundreds of seedlings have been grown at the city nursery, from the fruit of the small group of trees found by Andrew. These seedlings will begin to be replanted in the coming months in places like the Elsdon wetland and Hokorito Stream in Titahi Bay.
Andrew recalls when he first came to New Zealand in 1986 from Wales and the sight of pine trees and gorse covering the hills of Wellington. “We used to play the game ‘count the possums’ when we were driving on the highway,” he says, “and now I see native birds and plants, like the kohekohe, reclaiming their native habitat all around Porirua.” Situated at 106 Sievers Grove in eastern Porirua, the nursery offers a variety of plants at wholesale prices. Normally open to the public 12.30–3.30pm on weekdays, it is closed until 17 September.
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Visit: poriruacity.govt.nz.
Call: (04) 237 5089
🪱🐦 When are you the most productive? 🌙🦉
The Post has been diving into our daily habits, and research suggests being an early bird or a night owl isn’t just a choice—it’s biology! We all have that specific time when our brains finally "click" into gear.
This raises a big question for the modern workplace. To get the best out of everyone, should employers accommodate our natural body clocks? This idea is at the heart of the four-day work week and flexible scheduling movements.
We want to hear from you:
1. When does your brain "click" into gear?
2. Would a flexible (or shortened) schedule change the way you work?
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
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If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Wellington’s identity is built on its cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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45.7% I avoid spending money on coffee
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42.6% I still indulge at my local cafe
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11.7% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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