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BREAKING: frosted phoenix moth ‘re-discovered’ in New Zealand

The Press this morning broke this amazing story….. Mysterious moth unseen for 65 years accidentally rediscovered by tourist The Frosted Phoenix is legendary among New Zealand bug experts. Last seen 65 years ago, the distinctive moth was feared to be extinct – until an unexpected discovery on a hotel balcony cracked the case wide open, proving the potential of citizen science and nature’s capacity to surprise us. It was Pav Johnsson from Sweden who, after a night out wildlife watching...

Creature Feature | Takake success story

The flightless takahē is a unique bird, a conservation icon and a survivor. Good news…. The Wellington (New Zealand ) population of Takahe have doubled…. The flightless takahē (South Island takahē; Porphyrio hochstetteri), is the world’s largest living rail (a family of small-medium sized ground-dwelling birds with short wings, large feet and long toes). The North Island takahē (moho; P. mantelli) is unfortunately extinct. Takahē have special cultural, spiritual and traditional significance to Ngāi Tahu, the iwi (Māori tribe) of...

The kea…. why into the mountains?

Did you Know? World’s only alpine parrot may have moved to the mountains to avoid people New Zealand’s rare, highly endangered alpine parrots may have headed for the mountains to avoid people – and researchers say their adaptability could help them survive the climate crisis. The kea is considered the only alpine parrot in the world. But scientists analysing DNA sequencing and fossil records have found kea were once present in other parts of the country. The news is something...

Flooding | Auckland’s emergency: a lesson in geography

Auckland New Zealand floods …. Having spent several days hemmed in by a landslide, Professor John Morgan offers a ‘lesson plan’ for Auckland children returning to school to help them understand what’s going on in their city. “When Auckland schools go back, there’s a case to be made that geography teachers take over lessons for a day or two. Auckland’s ‘state of emergency’ – the floods and landslides that have affected the city and its region, and which will have...

Creature Feature | the weta

The weta is a New Zealand insect – endemic to that country which means “found nowhere else” – it’s as old as… the dinasours! Wētā have become icons for invertebrate conservation in New Zealand because many species are threatened or endangered. There are more than 100 species of wētā in New Zealand, 16 of which are at risk. There are five broad groups of wētā: Tree wētā Ground wētā Cave wētā Giant wētā Tusked wētā Diet: Wētā are mainly herbivorous...

Nature Organisation | Zealandia leads the way as a city wildlife sanctuary

  Imagine a lush forest, home to over 40 rare species of native wildlife. Discover Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne – an ecosanctuary in the heart of Wellington. ZEALANDIA is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. The 225 hectare (500+ acre) ecosanctuary is a groundbreaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area,...

Learn From Nature | Conservation News Review – December 18

  A snapshot of the last week in the environmental field * Christmas is now but a week away – read more about “Christmas Animals” Australia – giant wombats roamed the continent – https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2022/12/giant-wombats-roamed-the-continent-and-now-we-have-a-complete-description-of-its-melon/ New Zealand – Forest & Bird, New Zealand’s largest conservation organisation, is preparing to celebrate 100 years  United Kingdom – BBC Wildlife Mag is 60 years old! The magazine was instrumental in highlighting wildlife photography  Global news – Conference of Parties on biodiversity was held in...

Forest & Bird will celebrate 100 years in 2023!

A year of Forest & Bird celebration will kick off in March 2023. Here’s a sneak preview of the theme and some of the events already under way. The theme for the upcoming Centennial Celebrations is “What is your legacy? Most New Zealanders love nature – it’s part of who they are. During 2023, we hope to encourage thousands of small actions to help protect and restore our environment. There are lots of ways people can leave a legacy for...

Loving Nature to death? Aotearoa / New Zealand Vanishing Species

A love of nature is embedded deep within our concept of “New Zealand-ness”. But the rich diversity of what we describe as ‘nature’ is narrowing all the time. In a two-part investigation, Farah Hancock reports on Aotearoa’s vanishing species. New Zealand has an abundance of endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Interwoven with our national identity, they’ve been immortalised in art and illustrations, graced currency, stamps, rugby jerseys, planes and souvenir tea towels. We’ve rested our Arcoroc coffee...

Blood Moon – unique lunar event – November 8th

The next and final lunar eclipse of 2022 will occur TONIGHT November 8 and will be visible in parts of Asia, Australia, North America, parts of northern and eastern Europe, and most of South America. The first total lunar eclipse of 2022 occurred on May 15-16 and was visible in total phase from portions of the Americas, Antarctica, Europe, Africa and the East Pacific. Lunar eclipses occur when Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow...

World Engineering Day

In New Zealand… Engineering New Zealand Wonder Project nightlights STEM The Wonder Project is Engineering New Zealand’s initiative to get the next generation excited about a career in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It’s about sparking wonder in STEM from a young age, building confidence, and having all young Kiwis believing they can achieve remarkable things. In Australia… Engineers Australia is set to celebrate the UNESCO designated World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) on Friday 4 March. The...

Celebrating Seaweek – connecting with our Seas

NZAEE Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana – is New Zealand’s annual national week celebrating the sea.   Sat. 5 March – Sun. 13 March 2022   Started by the Marine Education Society of Australasia (now part of NZAEE), Seaweek was first held in New Zealand in 1992. Since then, Seaweek has been directed by NZAEE members and volunteers with support from a wide range of individuals, groups, and organisations. And more recently, starting in 2019, Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (MERC) has been at the helm managing and...

Christmas & Nature : the “New Zealand Christmas tree”

  The New Zealand Christmas tree The skies are grey in England, While ours are blue and clear. The holly gleams in England, Pohutukawa here. But the self-same Christmas spirit Holds each world in thrall, As we spread the Christmas message, “Peace and goodwill to all.” This poem comes from a 1930 edition of the New Zealand Herald, and it compares Christmas in England with Christmas in New Zealand. The author notes that while holly is traditionally associated with Christmas...