Hello,

We regret to report that Karori Sanctuary Trustee and national legend Sir Paul Callaghan passed last month. Read our tribute to Sir Paul. His last speaking engagement was about Zealandia; you can view footage of this now.

Many Wellingtonians among you will have followed the media attention our request for Council funding has received. We have an overview page on our website outlining the situation so far and including useful links to other information sources. Next week we will send you a message to more fully explain our position and intended actions. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Some brighter news at the weekend was a Dominion Post feature on our freshwater restoration success. Read our media release.

Interesting results are also coming in from recent bellbird roost tracking undertaken in the evenings – see below.

Friends with a member?
50% off admission!

‘til 30 June

Our valued members can bring their friends to Zealandia for half price until 30 June. Maybe this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for – so grab that friend, get over here and let them show you why they love the place!

Up to 6 guests per membership for each visit. Full general admission only. Members must escort their guests. Remember, if you want to come back, you can sign up for membership on the day and we’ll deduct the cost of your ticket.

Ornate skink spotting

The visibility of our ornate skinks has notably improved. This follows research last year that indicated a large increase in their number.

Rats and cats are a big problem for skinks so it’s great to see them flourishing inside the safety of our fence. Look for them in rocky areas alongside Lake Road.

School holidays & April Discounts

It’s very nearly that time again – have you got plans for the kids? Our Junior Ranger Programme is fun and educational. Also, back by popular demand: Kid’s Night Adventures.
Call 920 9200 ext 3, or book at our admissions desk between 10 and 5pm.

Anna Burns will be telling terrific tales to your toddlers Tuesdays 10 & 17 April.

Free clue hunt trail sheets can be picked up at the admissions desk – explore the valley while hunting for the letters.

Finally, all through April you can take advantage of a very tasty deal – free child entry when you buy a main menu item at Rata Café. Full information >

Bedtime secrets of the bellbird!

Our telemetry study of bellbirds has revealed some interesting data. Eight females have carried transmitters since February - six juveniles and two adults.

They were all caught in the valley and we are tracking their movements - inside and outside the fence - and their roost sites at night.

Most birds appear to have favourite roost areas, most inside the sanctuary which is good because roosting outside is riskier – one was killed, possibly by a stoat, in the early evening at or near her roost site in Birdwood Reserve. Another still survives despite regularly foraging outside and roosting nearby in a small copse of bush near Campbell St so she is being regularly checked.

Unlike previous years no movements have been detected to Otari-Wiltons Bush or South Karori, hotspots in previous years. Most of these birds forage in or near the sanctuary but three have made regular trips towards Brooklyn, usually roosting in the sanctuary overnight and then leaving early in the morning to forage in Polhill Gully before returning to the valley late morning. One of these has started to roost more frequently just outside the fence ready for a quick foray to Polhill ahead of the others! One female has been found roosting and foraging only at the south end of the sanctuary, not overlapping with other transmittered bellbirds or making the trips outside.