Friday Feathered Friend
A nice yarn and photo by Louise Thomas.
"I don’t mind admitting I cried a little when I saw my first kākā in the wild in Wellington. It was some years ago now, but at the time it seemed incredible to me that this bird I’d only ever seen in photos or in captivity was marauding about my home turf.
The experience was a little overwhelming – not for them mind you, they just carried on ripping the bark from a tree and looking at me from time to time with vague interest. Now of course we grumble about how destructive they are - but hey, it’s a parrot – it’s what they do.
Also, I’m pretty sure our native trees and shrubs have evolved with this guy, so can no doubt cope with having a few blossoms ripped off or bark stripped.
If I had a built-in can-opener I’d be tempted to try it out on a few things too. Kākā/brown parrot (Nestor meridionalis), Wellington Botanic Garden today. As an aside, the tulips are blooming and looking magnificent there at the moment if you get the chance."
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
-
89.1% Yes, it's fair
-
10.2% No, it's unreasonable
-
0.7% Other - I'll share below
Just dough it
With three basic ingredients and a bit of creativity, you can give old containers new life with Resene testpots.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Do you recognise any of these bikes? 🚲
Wellington Police have recently recovered eight bikes and would like to reunite them with their owners.
If you believe one is yours, head to the Wellington Police Station to retrieve your property. Make sure to bring either a proof of purchase or serial number to prove ownership.
To have a proper look, click on any image to enlarge it.