Friday Feathered Friend: Bush robin/toutouwai
Photographer Louise Thomas made a visit to Bushy Park, prior to lockdown. Now that we are all at home, please feel free to post a picture of the birds you have in your garden.
"Bush robins/toutouwai (Petroica longipes) have an open heart, they roam tramping tracks without fear because it doesn’t occur to them to be afraid. They have no armour on their personalities. If they were humans they would help you change your tyre and laugh about the experience.
They will stand on your shoes if you sit too long. And rummage inquiringly while you unpack your pack. I read once that the open-hearted will inherit the Earth. I hope it’s true – that it is better to be possibly hurt than hardened. But the open-hearted are often preyed upon by the ambitious. It might be why the robin is at risk and declining – he’s just a little too trusting of those that would eat him. Bushy Park, July 2021."
Cupboards of calm
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What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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81.9% Yes
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15.3% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below