Rare duck spotted in Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt wildlife photographer Louise Thomas had the perfect Valentine's Day gift, spotting an extremely rare pāteke (brown teal).
Once widespread throughout New Zealand, pāteke are our rarest native waterfowl.
Thomas spotted the bird in a Lower Hutt park on Valentine's Day.
According to DOC there are between 2000 and 2500 pāteke with the main populations on Great Barrier Island (700), Northland (600), and Coromandel (400).
The rest of the population is on offshore Islands, including Kāpiti and Mana, and sanctuaries like Zealandia.
They are considered at risk of extinction because they only survive in areas that are actively trapped.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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77.1% Yes
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22% No
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0.9% 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.
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