Key messages from Ōtautahi environmental leaders

Some of Christchurch’s environmental leaders gathered in August 2022 to discuss the critical issues facing our environment in preparation for local elections. Mayoral Candidate David Meates was the special guest. Stories were told of groups around Banks Peninsula and Christchurch working to regenerate the hills, valleys and streams. For example over twenty groups are working […]

Inaka – Whitebait

Nurturing a life cycle requiring four habitats. Protecting habitat for a species thought to be common is challenging. Whitebait is caught when returning from the sea in nets along many rivers in New Zealand. Although most of us have seen and/or eaten these tiny creatures in egg fritters, the inaka* or whitebait is declining and […]

Milnthorpe Park Scenic Reserve and Arboretum Golden Bay

Can introduced species play a role in restoration? Hugh Wilson of Hinewai Reserve, Banks Peninsula is well known advocate for gorse as a nursery plant for protecting regenerating seedlings. Milnthorpe Park is another interesting experiment.

Vote Kea for Bird of the Year

KEEEEAAAAA! Kea (Nestor notabilis) was named by Maori for the sound of its call. Listen to it here It is the world’s only mountain parrot and found only in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. These sociable and highly intelligent birds are well adapted to their harsh alpine environment. Their curiosity and omnivorous appetite, that they have developed […]

Cynthia is announced as one of The People’s Choice Candidates

The People’s Choice Regional Council Candidate’s Announcement The People’s Choice has selected three strong candidates for the first semi-democratic elections for Environment Canterbury for six years. The People’s Choice is a Labour-affiliated group of people who share the core values of fairness, sustainability and social justice. “We are thrilled with the Regional Council candidates we […]

noticing nature

Wintering over monarch butterflies spotted in Auckland

July 13, 2015 by Cynthia Roberts 15 Comments

July 2015 in Western Park, Auckland What a mesmerising sight of colour and movement caught my eye when visiting an Auckland park this July – over 50 monarch butterflies dancing and feeding on the yellow flowers of the naturalised german ivy (Delairea odorata). The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is New Zealand’s most identifiable butterfly. We consider it […]

The Roaming Ecologist

The Roaming Ecologist1 week ago

Bug of the year! Have you voted yet? Closes Monday 17th Feb. https://bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/2025-bug-of-the-year.../ Here's my 3 picks - Giant Springtail - sponsored by Rob Cruickshank who gave me a badge (only a wee bribe) when I promised to vote! When l read about the Giant Springtail I loved it - at up to 17 mm long, the biggest springtail in the world, can be different colours and are found only in Aotearoa native forests. Next choice is the Ngaio Weevil - only eats Ngaio and only found on Takapourewa - Stephens Island, Marlborough Sounds. One of the grandkids has Ngaio in their name so had to have that one and it is Mike Dikison's choice - but no bribe was offered but he sold it to me well at the Invertebrate Monitoring Workshop I attended in Jan with one of the older grandkids - who is very keen on invertebrates. You get three votes and my last is the Giraffe Weevil- very cool looking critter for sure.

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The Roaming Ecologist3 months ago

The Te Ahu Pātiki AGM inspired a visit with one of the grandsons recently. We entered through Orton Bradley Farm Park at the foot of Te Ahu Pātiki. Waterfalls, red admiral butterflies and its food source ongaonga, mahoe flowers, cascading native bindweed, kanuka flowering - what a gem we have here. At the AGM Yvette Couch-Lewis (Ngāti Wheki - Rāpaki) - chair Whaka-Ora - Healthy Harbours, spoke of the process of writing the vision document as being similar to weaving a korowai (cloak). Do read the document it has rightly won many awards - so evocative.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.healthyharbour.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Download-the-Plan.pdf
https://www.teahupatiki.org/

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The Roaming Ecologist3 months ago

A botanical garden dedicated to showcasing the indigenous plants of Australia. Victoria on their Cranbourne site has created an extraordinary visitor experience - 10 km of walking and cycling tracks. This is a must for garden lovers and botanists. What foresight someone(s) had in the creation of this. https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/cranbourne-gardens/