Understanding possums
Possums are a huge problem in New Zealand – and consequently the subject of a great deal of research. Most of that research, understandably, focuses…
Coal Island – a southern sanctuary for rare species
In late 2015, 80 mohua were transferred from Chalky Island to Te Puka-Hereka/Coal Island in Fiordland National Park, the latest in a series of native…
Wetlands and islands
This week’s Friday afternoon reads looks at predator research relating to two key habitats in New Zealand – wetlands and off-shore islands. Colin O’Donnell (Department…
Tackling stoats
Stoats are a cunning opponent and serious villain in New Zealand’s battle to save our native species. They’re efficient predators, can travel long distance and…
Raw diet good for pet health and the environment
Possums, rabbits, hares, wallabies and goats are all on the menu at ‘Raw Essentials’, a pet-food company which strongly believes in feeding our carnivore pets…
Mice, rats and multi-capture traps
The battle for the bush (and swamp, riverbed and shore) is being fought not just on the ground in New Zealand, but also in research…
New business venture finds growing market for possum meat
When it comes to possums, Zach Howarth believes in ‘utilising it all’. He’s about to sell his first shipment of possum meat to petfood manufacturer…
Art exhibition is latest initiative for Otago Peninsula group
An art exhibition is an unusual way to tackle introduced pests, but ‘Citizen Sci-Art’, on show at the Portobello Hall for the weekend 27-28 February,…
Protecting the Wildside’s unique biodiversity
Marie Haley lives in her great grandmother’s house on the Banks Peninsula land that was first farmed by her French great-great-great grandfather. It’s on a…
Fernbirds flourishing at Sinclair Wetlands
Glen Riley, coordinator at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau, Sinclair Wetlands, 40km south of Dunedin, has been talking with some members of the Ornithological Society recently.…
Kiwi comeback inspires new charitable trust
As far as anyone knew, kiwi were long gone from the Houto Forest near Dargaville, until a kiwi was found on farmland just 1km north…
Adventure eco-tour company grows with forest
From the ziplines and swing bridges built high in the canopy of Rotorua’s Mamaku Forest there’s a phenomenal view of what a New Zealand forest…
Survey competition winners carry on Grandpa’s conservation work
Lamb prices are poor this season, there have been droughts in recent summers and another drought is forecast, but Otorohanga farming couple Jarrod and Danielle…
Tough little duck has some hardy supporters
New Zealand’s whio or blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos to those with a fondness for Latin), likes nothing better than the turbulent white water of a…
Uruti children are Kiwi Kids
In the remote, rural valley of Uruti in North Taranaki, the 16 children at local Uruti School are bursting with pride. They’ve just taken out…
