Red-billed gull/tarāpunga - our most common small gull
The red-billed gull/tarāpunga will be a familiar sight to anyone from Petone or those who walk the lower reaches of the Hutt River. When they are young the legs and beak are darker and they are often confused with our rare black-billed gull. Unfortunately, the numbers of these native gulls have been declining rapidly since the mid-90s, in some places by as much as 50%. We are managing to turn this around though with recent predator control in some areas seeing their numbers stabilising or slightly increasing. The one here on the rock at the estuary is quite young, you can see his bill is transitioning to the characteristic reddy colour. I call the other photo on the wall at Petone Beach "glitch in the matrix".
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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42.9% Yes
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31% Maybe?
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26.1% 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!
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
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