KererūThe newsletter for members of ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience

Dear member,

SUMMER – THE PERFECT TIME TO VISIT ZEALANDIA!

Any time of year is great to visit ZEALANDIA, but with new fledglings appearing, natural food sources keeping our native fauna busy and the weather warming up, there’s a lot to see and do in the sanctuary valley. During January, February and March we’re going to stay open on the weekends for an hour longer too, so you have more time to enjoy all the things on offer described in this newsletter. You might notice that this edition of Kererū is not as lavish as previous editions. The aim is to reduce both environmental and financial costs. By designing in-house, reducing the number of pages, moving to duotone print and using a simple envelope for postage we have saved about $1.50 per unit. We mailed about 3,000 units just this edition so these measures definitely achieve worthwhile savings.

Communicating effectively and engagingly with our members remains very important to us. To this end we now produce a monthly e-newsletter. It’s a great tool for communicating the most up-to-date information about what’s happening in the valley and various events and offers. So, to help us reduce both environmental and financial costs, and to enable more up-to-date communication, we seek your consent to send future Kererū and some of our other communications to you via email. Your privacy is respected and we will never share your details with third parties.

You choose:If you’re happy with this, simply do nothing and we’ll send our next correspondence to you via email. If, however, you do still wish to receive correspondence from us in printed form, please let us know by emailing info@visitzealandia.com with “Kereru print” in the subject line and your name and membership number in the message body, or by phoning us on (04) 920 9200.

I hope you find this newsletter interesting. From everyone here at ZEALANDIA, we wish you, your family and friends a very happy and safe summer season. We look forward to seeing you at ZEALANDIA very soon.

Merry Christmas!

Nancy McIntosh-Ward, Chief Executive.

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Nature roundup

It’s all go with the business of breeding! Most female bellbirds are on to their third clutch and 30 bellbird chicks have fledged so far. Notably one third of the breeding females have changed their male at some point through the season.

Currently we know of two kākāriki nests in boxes and two natural nests. Our interest is to be able to film what may be going on in a kākāriki nest box and to this end we are experimenting with ways to insert a camera through the roof of the box.

Our ‘retired’ takahē pair have been mating and with the recent surprise news that Puffin ate a paradise duckling there was speculation she may have been ‘pregnant’. Nesting has now been confirmed!

NEW: Tuatara nurseries!

Have you met our 15 baby tuatara yet? They were rescued from a damaged nest and sheltered at Victoria University before being returned to the sanctuary valley.

The three specially-designed nurseries make it easy for you to spot the tuatara and provide the babies with protection during their first few years.

Sirocco the kākāpō

Over 4,000 of you came face to face with the living legend Sirocco during late September, October and early November this year. His special visit garnered lots of media attention and feedback from visitors was resoundingly positive. He increased our awareness of these remarkable “parrots of the night” and put a smile on everyone’s face. Take a look at our online photo album by Jo Moore: http://bit.ly/qS6VDU

For more information on kākāpō conservation go to: www.kakaporecovery.org.nz

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Get more news, more often

Sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter packed with the latest happenings and upcoming events.

Just drop an email to info@visitzealandia.com, put “Monthly eNews” as the Subject, include your name and membership number in the message and we’ll subscribe you free of charge.

Rata Café improvements

New coffee, new mural by Ellen Coup (pictured), new coffee cards, and now 10% off for all members!

Have you been to Rata lately? Why not book in for high tea with a view this summer – see events overleaf.

Falcon fledge

Our resident pair of kārearea (NZ falcon) made their nest among fallen pines just a short distance off-track earlier this year. Photographers came from all over New Zealand to get a glimpse of their courting behaviour and the fledgling’s first flights.

View the gallery online: http://bit.ly/qTkyTZ

Photos by Steve Attwood and Brendon Doran.

6pm closing Linger longer this summer at ZEALANDIAEvery weekend, 7 January – 1 April.Enjoy the sanctuary valley until later with an extra hour to roam and relax, every weekend from 7 January to 1 April. On Sundays combine free storytelling or a decadent high tea with your sanctuary wander for a perfect day at ZEALANDIA.

High tea on the balcony Top-quality refreshments with a fine view2pm-4pm, Sundays 8 January – 1 April (Excluding 5 & 26 February). Treat yourself to a scrumptious set menu of sweet and savoury snacks, tea or coffee and perhaps a glass of bubbles for that extra indulgence. Seating is at beautifully laid tables on our sheltered balcony overlooking the lower lake and forest. The sanctuary valley closes late so you can enjoy a post-pamper stroll ‘til 6pm.$25-$30 per person. Booking essential. Phone: (04) 922 1139.

Sunday storytellingFun for the kids10:30am at Tui Terrace, Sundays 22 January – 26 February (weather dependant).Join Just Giraffe storytellers for 40 minutes of tales tall and short! Using puppets and props, they will entertain and entrance with a collection of unusual fairy tales and Māori myths and legends. Best enjoyed by 3 – 8 year olds.

Members’ seminar: Treasure Islands: An Update on Auckland’s Hauraki GulfMonday 12 March, 7:30pm. ZEALANDIA Visitor Centre.Join Anne Rimmer for a lively and fact-filled update on the various restoration projects in the Gulf, a hotbed of conservation which includes such special sanctuaries as Tiritiri Matangi, Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands, and Tawharanui Regional Park. See wonderful photos of the rare birds which breed in the Gulf, including kiwi and takahē, and learn more about the whales, dolphins, and seabirds inhabiting the Gulf’s waters.

Offers and events at ZEALANDIA this summer

Kids go FREE* ‘til Dec 24*With a paying adult, up to three kids per adult.Bring your kids (5-14 years) to ZEALANDIA between 1 and 24 December 2011 and they’ll get in FREE when accompanied by a paying adult!

20% off for families Affordable fun for all the family, this summer at ZEALANDIA.1 January – 1 April, every day. Enjoy a 20% discount on a family General Admission ticket (2 adults & up to 3 kids: 5-14 years). See both our natural history exhibition with big-screen movie, life size moa and more, and wander the sanctuary valley’s trails spotting a host of remarkable native flora and fauna – including our new tuatara babies! Upgrade to annual membership on the day for just an extra $43.80.

Regular activitiesFREE with admission!• Kids clue trail (from 17th December all through summer) • 11:15am Walk & Talk with a Ranger Guide every day• Ranger species talks, hourly from midday every day: kākā/kākāriki, tuatara, takahē• Boat rides across the lower lake, weekends (subject to availability, gold coin donation) • Morning Star mine and cave wētā, weekends (subject to availability) • NEW - check out our tuatara babies in their own special nurseries!

Regular offers throughout the year• Student Tuesdays - $10 general admission with student ID.• Buggies go Bush - Meet new mums and dads, $10, Wednesdays 10:30am.

Check our website for the latest events and offers: www.visitzealandia.com/events

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