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Friday Feathered Friend
Words and picture by Louise Thomas.
"I love birding – some days are just filled with hope and potential. I set out in the rain hoping to maybe see a few kākā/brown parrots or maybe snap a few tui on the right angle, possibly come across some rotund kererū for comedic relief. But some days are blessed with a little extra and the unexpected. Today I came across an unbanded pair of kākāriki/red-crowned parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) fossicking in the undergrowth, then feeding in the trees – blissfully unaware they are relicts of better times. Hopefully proof-positive they are spreading in Wellington and the Hutt Valley. Wellington Botanic Gardens."
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Last call for entries to our Resene Shed of the Year 2025!
Take a look at Paul Bates' "surprisingly roomy" Tardis-inspired shed which took out our 2023 title, and if you reckon your shed is right up there, well, you could be in the running to win a robot lawnmower, Resene vouchers and a subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us why your garden shed is New Zealand's best, and send up to 5 high-quality photos to Resene Shed of the Year 2025, NZ Gardener PO Box 6341, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142. Or email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2025.
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Kiwirail don't care about our community. Ava bridge.
From Kiwirail. Received today February 10th.
Work on the Ava railway bridge is scheduled to begin later this month, meaning that the walkway will be closing from 24 February.
We’re mindful that the walkway is well used by the community. The upgrade to the bridge is essential and urgent, and involves replacing the sleepers that the walkway is attached to – to keep the rail bridge in good working order for commuter trains we have to do the maintenance work now.
We are continuing to talk with Hutt City Council and are open to replacing the walkway in the future in a way that is safe and compliant. Funding for a replacement would need to be sourced via Hutt City Council as KiwiRail is only funded for work on the rail corridor, and public walkways sit outside of that.
🤬🤬🤬🤬
So mindful that they didn't mention it in nearly ten months of chat with the council.