Kia ora
 It feels like spring already. The tūī are very active and vocal in the valley and surrounding suburbs, chasing each other at impressive speeds and causing a kerfuffle in the bush. Bellbirds are also singing and chasing, and have begun nest-building early again like last year. These early bellbird nests may not receive eggs for another couple of weeks, while females return to their breeding territories after winter foraging.
Our first kākā egg of the season has appeared, laid by a consistently early breeding female. Check out the photo on Alfie Kākā's Facebook.
Fuchsia is available and kohekohe still flowering – a good indication of the in-between season food availability.
Sirocco has settled in well and we've received wonderful feedback from those of you who've met him. Read on for some interesting kākāpo facts and, if you haven't already, book your date with Sirocco before he leaves a month from now. The last few spots on our Kakapo and Kai evenings are available too.
Scroll down for news on our latest blog posts on kohekohe quirks and kiwi survival, $10 deals and more.
Chair Denise Church writes about the latest developments at Zealandia in this month's update.
Nāku noa
Lauren and the Zealandia team
Photo: Brendon Doran
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 Sirocco - the bigger picture
Time flies! We're already two weeks in to Sirocco's six week stay, so don't miss out: book now if you haven't made your date with him yet.
Sirocco's x-rated shenanigans are well known, but how much do you, or your friends, know about kākāpō? In our latest blog post we talk about why kākāpō are so special, and why Sirocco is truly unique. Read more.
Dinner dates: Kākāpō and Kai
An extra date has been added to our previously sold out Kākāpō and Kai evenings with Wellington on a Plate.
Photo: DOC
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 Kohekohe: our quirkiest tree?
Alfie Kākā interviews Joakim Liman - an award-winning Zealandia volunteer and manager of Te Motu Kairangi: Miramar Ecological Restoration group - about his favourite local plant: kohekohe, and why it makes a great choice for your garden.
"Hi Alfie. A lot can be said about kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile). This handsome tree was one of the most common species in Wellington. Today, however, not many remain due to settlement and pest animals. Kohekohe would normally make up a dominant part of our coastal forests, and it is one of the main species our restoration group is focusing on." Read more.
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 Mates' rates are back
'til 30 September
We're happy to announce that our popular mates' rates deal for members' friends is back.
Members can now bring up to six friends, any day 'til the end of September, to get them a 50% discount off full General Admission.
Remember, when you sign up for membership on the day we can also deduct the price of your ticket from your membership fee.
$10 deal
Stay warm and discover 80 million years under one roof: our $10 Exhibition Winter Warmer offer runs 'til the end of August. A great match for our deals at Rata too.
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 What chance does a kiwi chick have?
Annika C wrote in via our Ask a Ranger website form:
“I wonder how many percent of kiwi will survive until they are grown ups?”
Our guest blogger Dr Andrew Digby replies:
"The answer depends on where the kiwi lives! In areas with little or no predator control, only a tiny proportion (about 5%) of chicks survive to become adults. The first few months are the most dangerous period of a chick’s life" Read more.
Photo: Andrew Digby.
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 Warm up at Rata Café
Burger Wellington is almost upon us. During 9 -25 August you'll be able to vote for Rata's vege burger - the only truly vege burger in the competition - over at the Wellington on a Plate website. Don't forget our fantastic Kākāpō and Kai dinner dates with Sirocco too.
Warming winter meal deals and events continue at Rata. Have you tried our Big Breakfast deal on Saturdays yet?
Parents, don't miss our fun Fairytales & Fluffies storytelling for kids at Rata this month too.
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 On your next visit
Look out from our pontoon walkway - a pied shag pair have been nest building in an exciting new location.
We're all hoping they successfully lay eggs and hatch chicks here so we can get an up-close view on proceedings.
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