Choice News Tuesday: Kākāpō will be getting busy in 2026!
The kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!
How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. Because we can anticipate rimu mast events, and kākāpō love rimu fruit, we can predict kākāpō breeding activity.
Since there are only 242 kākāpō today, this bumper season is important.
This positive outlook on population numbers is especially exciting since, due to the mahi of conservationists, the kākāpō have completed their first season on the North island (at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari). The booming of the kākāpō has not been heard on the North Island of Aotearoa for over a century!
Read more about Aotearoa's flightless parrot and their nesting plans.
We hope this news brings a smile!
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.
Prices slashed for the weekend
Epic books from a collectors collection, only $1 a book today and all weekend long, some great art books and books on NZ history, bestsellers, and lots more.
✨ This Saturday: Auckland’s Biggest Pre-Loved Kids Market! ✨
Looking to save money while finding amazing treasures for the kids?
With 45+ stalls packed with quality pre-loved goodies, you’ll discover:
👕 Clothes for all ages
📚 Books & puzzles
🧸 Toys & games
🚲 Bikes & ride-ons
🛒 Buggies & nursery furniture
Bring the kids and join the treasure hunt, you never know what you’ll find!
🗓 Saturday
⏰ Doors open 9:00am
📍 Orewa Community Centre
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