The Zealandia Storyteller's labour of love is the yearly fundraising calendar. It literally takes a year to prepare, with the photographers tasked to get the very best seasonal photos. Once the photos are chosen, the writers get to work, creating mini stories inspired by our wonderful wildlife. I hope you love the results as much as I do! And this year there is no plastic shrink wrap - instead each calendar is in a paper envelope, perfect for posting. Available for $19.90 from the Visitors Centre (no online sales sorry, but if you're out of town and would like one, do get in touch and I'll get one on your behalf).

When you're next at Zealandia, do check out our latest exhibition by the Storytellers and guests from my Art of Birding Photography Challenge. The aim is to inspire and encourage people to use their photos for wildlife advocacy. There are photo essays on composition by Janice McKenna, planning wildlife photography by Chris Helliwell, getting creative by Hannah Shand, along with stories about recent Zealandia events like the kākahi translocation by Linton Miller & Louise Slocombe, and many more. And keep an eye out in December for the 2020 challenges to be released!

Zealandia - the valley that changed a nation

It's been full-on with Zealandia projects, as you can see, and the last one to mention in this update is about founder Jim Lynch's book on the history of Zealandia to date. You might recognize the cover art - I was greatly honoured to be asked to create it. The Zealandia project has been life-changing for Linton and me, and for many, many others over the project's 25 year history. Would you believe that Wellington is now one of the only cities in the world where bio-diversity is actually increasing! To be a small part of that accomplishment is amazing.
Limited edition prints of the cover art "Imagine" are available from Zealandia and online, with 10% of my proceeds going to Zealandia. (Photo of Jim with Mayor Justin Lester at the book launch, by Brendon Doran).

Bringing Back the Birds
Thank you to everyone who came to the Bringing Back the Birds opening night and who have visited the exhibition. I love this photo Linton took of Irene Bick taking a photo of Hon. Eugenie Sage taking a photo of me - it's turtles all the way down! The exhibition is getting rave reviews so do check it out if you can. It's on for one more week, with public hours 10am-3pm on Wed and Thurs 30-31 Oct (or by appointment). Entry is free - just head through parliamentary security at Bowen House, 78 Lambton Quay, and let them know at reception that you're visiting the Exhibition Space (which is just upstairs).