Friday Feathered Friend
This week we introduce a new photographer, Roger Smith, to Friday Feathered Friend. He recently spotted a sooty tern in the Waikanae Estuary, where he is a regular photographer.
“I had taken a walk along the sandspit to have a look at the white-fronted tern flock there - not expecting to see any interesting birds - and I was stunned to see this lovely brown bird amongst them again...With the sun right behind me, I crawled very slowly holding my camera in front of my face until, after about 20 metres of inching over hot sand, I got within a few metres of it. It wasn't aware of my presence, so I just lay there and took over 100 shots before backing away.”
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.8% Yes
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13.8% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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.
The Hikoi on Tuesday 19th
I copied this from a Facebook page: The expected route of the hīkoi on Tuesday is from Takapuwahia Maree in Esldon towards Porirua and along Kenepuru Drive to Tawa, then up Middleton Road to Johnsonville, down Ngaraunga George and along the old Hutt Road to Wellington. They are anticipating significant congestion on the roads between 06.00am and 12.30pm.