Pet owners warned over calicivirus rabbit cull in Christchurch red zone
Calicivirus will be released in the Christchurch red zone to cull the fast-growing wild rabbit population, prompting a warning for pet rabbit owners to vaccinate their animals.
A jump in the number of rabbits counted on the Crown-owned land since last year has led to the pest control measure. Calicivirus K5, a Korean variant of the virus introduced in other parts of New Zealand last year, will be used.
The virus will be released through crushed carrot drops beginning in four weeks' time, starting with uncontaminated carrots so the rabbits get used to them.
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
Book Cellar Christmas Opening hours
Merry Christmas from The Book Cellar!
The summer break is the perfect time to relax with a book or two (or three or four…). And, of course, books make excellent gifts. There is still time to come in and find the perfect read for you or someone else.
You will find us in the basement rooms of Cashmere Presbyterian Church (entry via the driveway for 58 Dyers Pass Road)
Our Christmas hours are:
Monday 22nd December, 10am – 3pm
Wednesday 24th December, 10am – 12noon
Friday 26th December (Boxing Day), 10am – 1pm (last day for the year).
We will reopen with our usual hours on Thursday 8th January 2026
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