‘Rules stifle innovation,’ say researchers looking at how we can achieve win-win outcomes for pastoral farming and biodiversity conservation in New Zealand. Pastoral farming and the environment can both benefit from good farming practices. “To obtain win-win outcomes for biodiversity … [Read more...] about Biodiversity and farming – achieving win-win outcomes
Success stories
Little bird has bend in beak
It hasn’t got the huge international fanbase of the kākāpō, the show-stopper song of a tūī, bellbird or kōkako or the national icon status of kiwi. Ngutuparore – the wrybill – is a modest little river plover that no-one takes much notice of. But the wrybill’s got something that’s not found in any … [Read more...] about Little bird has bend in beak
Little penguin breeding success includes ‘triple brooding’
Little penguins in Kaikōura have been doing their bit to try and keep species numbers buoyant – with multiple nesting per breeding season and some birds even resorting to a bit of partner-swapping. It all helped bring successful fledgling numbers up to 1.66 chicks per pair, according to researchers, … [Read more...] about Little penguin breeding success includes ‘triple brooding’
Greymouth course builds a passion for conservation work
Friday is a big day for 13 students at Greymouth High School – and not just because it’s the last school day before the weekend. On Fridays the students spend all day studying Conservation for NCEA Level 3 with teacher Lara Thompson. And that means they often get to study outside the … [Read more...] about Greymouth course builds a passion for conservation work
Kingfisher cashes in on bird feeder
Feeding backyard birds is popular in New Zealand – one recent study revealed up to half of us feed the birds in our gardens. It’s usually the seed-eaters and sugar-water sippers that benefit. No-one seems to have invented a feeder for birds that catch their food on the wing – the insectivores like … [Read more...] about Kingfisher cashes in on bird feeder
Kea demonstrate their maths skills
Kea are known to be smart and the more we learn about them, the smarter we realise they are. But did you know kea can do maths? Female kea. Photo: Herb Christophers, Department of Conservation. Yes - it turns out that kea are pretty good at basic mathematical statistics – especially when it … [Read more...] about Kea demonstrate their maths skills
Fenced in felines – keeping cats and wildlife safe
Barbara Clarke’s cats, Sammy and Smudge enjoy a fantastic view over the Pukawa bush reserve from their favourite sunspot on the deck. But because they're indoor cats that’s as close as they get to the rich birdlife and insect life in the adjacent forest. Indoor cat, Sammy enjoys the sun on the … [Read more...] about Fenced in felines – keeping cats and wildlife safe
Kaitiakitanga and urban restoration
How might traditional concepts and values of kaitiakitanga be included more holistically in urban restoration projects? Authors Erana Walker, Priscilla Wehi, Nicola Nelson, Jacqueline Beggs and Hēmi Whaanga discuss what kaitiakitanga means, its significance to Māori and the contribution … [Read more...] about Kaitiakitanga and urban restoration
97-year-old comes to aid of Moeraki penguins
While others may have been more idle than usual during the recent Covid 19 Lockdown, 97-year-old Peter Whitehead was busy in his workshop building trapboxes to help protect the local yellow-eyed penguins – and he’s still busy. Peter Whitehead works on a trapbox. Photo: Alison MacTavish. “I’ve … [Read more...] about 97-year-old comes to aid of Moeraki penguins
Otago researchers look at uptake of wildlife gardening
Home gardens collectively make up a big chunk of the total green space in our cities, which means they have huge potential to support urban diversity. So how do we encourage more people to become wildlife gardeners? An insect hotel. Photo @ Wildlife Trust. University of Otago researchers … [Read more...] about Otago researchers look at uptake of wildlife gardening