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1559 days ago

Tuataras enjoy improved leafy exhibit at Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

The tuatara exhibit at Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium has been upgraded with help from the Department of Conservation.

Four tuataras have settled back into the improved exhibit in time for Conservation Week, where Kiwis are encouraged to explore their backyard and engage with nature.

Kelly Tarlton’s lead aquarist Felix Berghoefer said tuatara have been at the aquarium since 2016.

“They act as ambassadors for their species and help us educate visitors on the way tuatara live in New Zealand, what threats they face in the wild and how we can help support these incredible native animals,” he said.

“Tuatara were once widespread on the mainland of New Zealand. Sadly, introduced predators like rats, stoats, feral cats and possums have made it too dangerous for them now on the mainland, except in predator-free sanctuaries including some islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.”
 
Tuatara are endemic to New Zealand and are the last surviving species of Rhynchocephalia, an order of lizard-like reptiles that traces back to more than 200 million years ago, when dinosaurs walked the earth.

The tuatara at Kelly Tarlton’s are around 7 years old and originate from Takapourewa Island, at the northern end of the South Island.

Kelly Tarlton’s is currently closed to the public due to Alert Level 3 restrictions.

Conservation week will run from August 15 to August 23. People can explore the aquarium online through a virtual tour, accessible from the Kelly Tarlton’s website.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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14 hours ago

Today’s Riddle – Can You Outsmart Your Neighbours?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

First you eat me, then you get eaten. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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7 days ago

Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

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When should the tree go up? 🎄
  • 4.7% Second half of November
    4.7% Complete
  • 43.7% 1st December
    43.7% Complete
  • 17.7% A week before Christmas
    17.7% Complete
  • 32.7% Whenever you wish
    32.7% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2686 votes