Birdstories
New Zealand birds – their discovery, their place in both Pākehā and Māori worlds, their survival and conservation, and the illustrations and art they have inspired.
Wednesday 12th June
Te Ahumairangi, Ground Floor, National Library of New Zealand.
12.10 – 1pm
Free
In 1873, Walter Buller’s A History of the Birds of New Zealand introduced our extraordinary birds to the world, and in doing so led many New Zealanders to appreciate them for the first time. This talk draws on Geoff Norman’s book Birdstories, which builds on that legacy, describing the birds’ origins and discoveries, their place in Māori and Pākehā culture. He also looks at changing attitudes and strategies to ensure their conservation and survival, and illustrates his account with how they have been depicted throughout the centuries - the earliest moa hunters’ rock drawings, the watercolours of Cook’s draftsmen, the 19th century ‘fine bird book’ lithography, and the work of our contemporary artists.
Geoff Norman was born in Wellington and has a background in science and environmental studies. He has been involved in publishing for over 30 years, designing, typesetting and producing books.
His first book, Buller’s Birds of New Zealand: the complete work of J G Keulemans, was published in 2012. It was the New Zealand Herald’s Book of the Year in 2012 and a finalist in the 2013 NZ Post Book Awards. BIrdstories, published in 2019, was shortlisted for the Okham New Zealand Book awards.
Got more greens than you know what to do with? 🥦🌱🥕
Whether it’s a courgette takeover or a feijoa frenzy, don’t let those garden gems go to waste!
Our suggestion to you: Did you know you can grate and freeze excess courgettes to use in chocolate cake later? It sounds a bit dodgy, but it makes the cake incredibly moist ... and hey, it counts as a serving of veg, right? 🍫
What’s your go-to move for a bumper harvest? Drop your best "glut" recipes or preservation hacks in the comments below! 👇
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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46.5% I avoid spending money on coffee
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39.9% I still indulge at my local cafe
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13.6% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
Have a say on Petone to Grenada Link Road
NZTA plan to build a Four Lane link road from Petone to Grenada under Fasttrack legislation. They plan to take it through several well established significant native bush reserves (Seton Nossitor, Gilberds Bush, Escarpment, a small part of Belmont Park etc). These are precious recreation areas in the northern suburbs and home to an amazing array of birds. The evening birdsong in Seton Nossitor Park makes it easy to think you are not even in a city. This will all disappear forever if NZTA have their way. Under Fasttrack there is little option for consultation and feedback. Tomorrow there is an "information" session where you have a chance to engage with NZTA and find out why they are building a road straight through an established builtup suburb and mulitple areas of native bush (when there are other options that can go through bare farmland). Go down and have your say. We have to stop this senseless destruction.
Community information sessions:
Newlands Baptist Church, 5 Horokiwi Road West, on:
• Saturday 14 March from 11am–2pm
• Tuesday 17 March from 4pm–7pm
createsend.com...
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