White-fronted terns/tara - sometimes seen on Petone Beach
White-fronted terns/tara (Sterna striata) are not a particularly common sight on Petone Beach, but you can see them en masse a few times a year. They are fairly noisy energetic birds, as many seabirds are. They have a distinctive black cap, which is more pronounced during breeding season among the adults, younger birds are more mottled with quite pronounced striations on their backs. Despite living in a crowd, they like to keep the same partners from one season to the next. The male courts his mate by bringing her little fish gifts - it is actually very lovely to see. These shots were taken down the far Western end on the beach, past the dog exercise area, the second one is a juvenile asking Mum for food.
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Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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40.4% Yes
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34.1% Maybe?
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25.5% No
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!
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