Aotearoa is known for having a large diversity of manu/birds; however, it is also the land of the mokomoko/lizards (geckos and skinks). Although it can be difficult to tell individual species apart, skinks and geckos are quite different.

Imagine being in a forest filled with manu/birds and trying to count them all. A kākā swoops past in the blink of an eye. Is that tīeke/saddleback, foraging noisily, one that you’ve already counted? Pōpokotea/whiteheads chatter and flutter everywhere, causing you to recount every time they shift around you. How could anyone hope to estimate these numbers?

We are only one generation into our 500-year journey of restoration, but together we have transformed Wellington as a city. The fence that surrounds Zealandia has provided sanctuary for precious native species and now they are reaching into the suburbs and beyond.

We are now well into spring, with signs of it all around us. Modern living means that these types of changes often go unnoticed. If this sounds like you, it might be time to go out into nature a little more often—for your own wellbeing!

The last of the captive population of pepeketua/Hamilton’s frogs have been released from their enclosure following the opening of a new boardwalk that was built to protect them from human foot traffic. This boardwalk was made possible through generous funding from the estate of John Nankervis. Lead Ranger Ellen Irwin shares some of the mahi/work that went into planning for this release.

Towering above visitors in the ngahere/forest, the non-native pine trees at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne were originally planted as a forestry trial as early as the 1880s. Jo Ledington, General Manager Conservation and Restoration, shares some of the thinking that has gone into the removal of these trees.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne relies heavily on our amazing community of volunteers. Our volunteers help us with a wide range of tasks and activities. They come from all walks of life and are passionate supporters of the work we do. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them.

Walking in the sanctuary is a whole new experience in autumn and winter. Fungi peek their heads out of the ground, the green colours of the plants pop in the damp ngahere/forest and different manu come together in groups to forage. 

The Conservation team have been carrying out their biannual Five-Minute Bird Counts (5MBC) recently, in which they count all birds seen or heard within 200 meters of various stations around the valley over a five-minute period.

"Little is known about Aotearoa New Zealand’s freshwater sponges. To date, only one species has been studied, yet there is a high likelihood that many other exist without us knowing. For my master’s project, I am investigating the diversity of species within New Zealand."

Dive into the world of freshwater sponges with Ella, a passionate master's student from the University of Otago, New Zealand.