Kia ora
 I hope you are safe and well, especially if you were affected by the dramatic storm this month.
Our perimeter fence suffered some major damage in one location on Sunday 23 June. More photos and a full story tell how teams of staff and volunteers sprang in to action to repair the damage and beef up biosecurity measures - no pest incursion has been detected so far. After last month's focus on our Track Team volunteers we need them - and any new recruits - more than ever to help us clear the valley paths.
Read on for details of a very special prize draw - you could be Sirocco's personal escort! There's also some very entertaining banter with Alfie Kākā as he talks to researcher Kerry Charles, and results of a health check on our Upper Reservoir by NIWA.
We've got lots of options for those of you wishing to keep the kids happy these school holidays and a little something for the grown ups this Sunday - delicious Kaimira wine tasting for a modest $5. Plus through July and August you can enjoy $10 exhibition entry.
July kicks off our warming winter meal deal at Rata and you're also invited to An Extraordinary Land on 11 July - details below.
Chair Denise Church writes about the latest developments at Zealandia in this month's update.
Nāku noa
Lauren and the Zealandia team
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 Get the kids out these school holidays
Choose from a range of exciting and interesting experiences for the kids at Zealandia:
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 Kerry's clued up on kākā
Kerry Charles has recently completed a Masters of Science in Conservation Biology at Victoria University of Wellington. In her masters research, she investigated some of the issues kākā have been causing in Wellington in recent years, from both ecological and social science perspectives.
In these two blog posts she's interviewed by our very own Alfie Kākā:
Sweet-beaked kākā find tree-sap irresistible
Wellingtonians show kākā love in survey
You can follow Alfie on Twitter and Facebook.
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 Sirocco seeks escort
“Boom!
Ranger Chris on Maud Island says I need an escort from Wellington Airport to Zealandia as he suspects I may wander off and start climbing the Bucket Fountain – or worse, some unsuspecting folk on Lambton Quay.
I am on the lookout for a friendly and fun kākāpō fan that doesn’t mind holding my suitcases, is good with directions and is able to keep unruly 16 year olds like myself in line!
It won’t be easy. Even with first class airline treatment, a day of travelling can take its toll on a rock-star kākāpō and I may not be in the best of moods.
Have you got what it takes?”
-Sirocco
Apply within.
Have you met a kākāpō yet? Over 800 people have already booked their date with a living legend. Book your date with Sirocco now. He's here from 22 July to 3 September.
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 Kids brave weather to plant natives
Around 200 students from Te kura o Otari put in a mighty effort this month, braving the conditions to plant 3,000 hardy native trees at Ian Galloway Park – right on the flight path for birds travelling between Otari-Wilton’s Bush and Zealandia – for Arbour Day, 5 June.
The planting day was run jointly by Wellington City Council, Zealandia and schools.
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 Wine tasting this Sunday
Sunday 30 June, 4 – 6pm at Rata Café.
To kick off the new Rata events programme, this Sunday, 30 June, we have an afternoon with the winemaker from Kaimira Estate Wines
Book your spot for this fundraiser and wine tasting with Kaimira Estate Wines from Nelson. We love Kaimira because they are organic, sustainable and fully carboNZero certified. They are also excellent, award winning wines. Join the estate’s winemaker John Jackson in an afternoon of tasting and testing.
This event is intended for anyone who enjoys wine, and would like to explore in more depth six different wine varietals with examples of contrasting styles. Light nibbles provided.
Wines available to order at special prices; Kaimira will donate 15% of all sales to Zealandia.
July's Coffee training evening had sold out so we've added an extra date: 25 July.
You can read Anna’s blog post about the recent improvements at Rata Café and check out our fantastic winter meal deals and upcoming events.
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 Upper Reservoir gets a health check
The ecological condition of our Upper Reservoir was confirmed as being 'high' in recent Lake Submerged Plant Indicators (LakeSPI) monitoring carried out by NIWA at the request of DOC. None of the 10 aquatic weeds found in many other NZ lakes were found.
You are welcome to read the full report from NIWA. |
 An Invitation to An Extraordinary Land
Book event: 7pm. 11 July.
An Extraordinary Land Discoveries and mysteries from wild New Zealand.
You’re invited to attend this book event where Rod Morris and Peter Hayden will be speaking about New Zealand’s special wildlife, the unique environment they inhabit and the increasingly important role communities are playing in conservation efforts.
Books will be available for purchase on the night.
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