Kia ora
 Sadly, we say goodbye to Sirocco next week, but we've really enjoyed hosting him and hope you've had a chance to meet this very special bird. Read on for a couple of cool kākāpō stories or book your date with him now.
Father's Day is coming up (1 September) and Dad goes FREE at Zealandia! Also, DOC's Conservation Week begins 8 September and there's lots to do. The theme this year is "What's your whānau doing?" and we think it's a great excuse (as if you needed one!) to come to Zealandia with your family. Scroll down for more on that.
We've got another favourite plant feature with Alfie and Matu Booth, new events at Rata Café, an interesting seminar with Dr Kevin Burns, shag photos and a reminder about our fantastic mates' rates offer so read on :)
Chair Denise Church writes about the latest developments at Zealandia in this month's update.
Nāku noa
Lauren and the Zealandia team
P.S October School Holidays are coming up. Check our website nearer the date for a range of fun and memorable activities to book.
Photo: Night sky above Zealandia's lower reservoir and valve tower by Chris Helliwell.
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 Conservation Week
Sunday 8 - Sunday 15 September
Guest blog
 Wellington hasn't always been so conservation-conscious; in our latest guest blog Wellington City Council's Amber Bill explains the History of Conservation in our region. It's a fascinating read.
Possum photo: Greater Wellington Regional Council.
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 A 30 year wait to see kākāpō
It was back in the mid ‘70s when Richard Gray, now a Conservation Officer at Zealandia, travelled to Fiordland with Don Merton to study the last mainland population of kākāpō. Despite weeks spent tracking the critically endangered birds, observing feeding signs, studying habitats and hearing them boom at night Gray never did have a good view of a live kākāpō. Until now. Read more.
Sirocco's last week
As we plan to say goodbye to this charismatic kākāpō our own Alfie Kākā shares some musings in this light-hearted and thoughtful blog post.
Meet Sirocco - book now, only 'til 3 September.
Photo: Sirocco and Richard Gray by Chris Helliwell.
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 Coffee training & beer tasting
Supporting our wildlife can be really delicious!
Rata Café's coffee training evenings were so popular we've lined up a few more.
Book now for Thursdays: 5, 12, 19 September.
Or explore the best of Wellington's craft beers, with food to match - an informal night with Zealandia's own Russ and Jamie at Rata.
Book now for: Thursday 26 September.
More specials and events at Rata.
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 Ramarama's gleaming leaves
Alfie Kākā blogs yet again, this time catching up with long-serving Zealandia Conservation officer Matu Booth on his favourite Wellington plant.
Would the bubbly leaves of ramarama look great in your garden? The birds will love it!
Read more.
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 Seminar: co-evolution of native plants and extinct moa
In this upcoming members’ seminar Dr Kevin Burns talks about the co-evolution of native plants and extinct moa.
7.30pm, Thursday 19 September. Zealandia Main Foyer.
Non-members welcome, gold coin koha.
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Mates' rates
Members can bring up to six friends, any day up to the end of September, to allow them a 50% discount off full General Admission. Why not sign up, or come along with a friend who is as member?
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 Shag nest building
As we mentioned last time, the new kāruhiruhi (pied shag) nest location near our pontoon walkway makes for a wonderful opportunity to see these birds up close. We're hoping for eggs any day.
Bernard Smith took this wonderful series of photos showing the process of nest building and mating.
Pied shags have been nesting in the sanctuary valley since 2009, and are known to be more confiding than the other shag species that nest here. They are found in many coastal areas throughout Australasia, and estimates of the NZ population range from 1000-5000 mature adults with a conservation status of 'threatened, nationally vulnerable'.
Photo: Judi Lapsley Miller.
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