The piwakawaka hut is a great, short, overnight trip. Spend a night in the Kaitake Ranges in the North Island’s Taranaki region. I am always keen to find some new huts or areas to explore, especially close to where I live in Taranaki. Recently, we…
These 7 weta facts highlight these truly iconic New Zealand species. They may not be as well known as kiwi, but they are unique to the country. New Zealand is such an amazing place to live. The landscape is truly breathtaking with heaps of beautiful…
Kaka is one of New Zealand’s endemic parrot species. Here are 6 kaka facts to teach you a bit more about this special native bird. I love going for a walk or hike anywhere in New Zealand. The walks in this country are so spectacular…
The Mt. Roberts hike in Nelson Lakes National Park is fantastic day hike. This half day hike has incredible views and is a must do! I have a lot of hobbies, but hands down my favourite activity is hiking. I absolutely love spending a day…
The sounds of the cicada are synonymous with summer in New Zealand. Here are 7 cicada facts to help you better appreciate these winged insects. Summer in New Zealand always seems to fly by because there are so many fun outdoor activities to engage in.…
New Zealand’s 2 flax species are both quite common throughout the country. Here are tips on telling apart the 2 flax species and characteristics of each. Flax is one of the iconic plants of the New Zealand landscape. It may not be as showy as…
While there are many, here are 3 causes of threatened species in New Zealand – habitat loss, predation, and being outcompeted. Aotearoa now has about 4,000 native species listed as threatened or endangered! As I’ve talked about over and over in this blog, the country…
The rewarewa is a beautiful native New Zealand tree. Here are 6 facts about this tree that produces beautiful red nectar filled flowers. New Zealand has so many unique trees that stand out to me, such as the massive kauri, the majestic pohutukawas, and the…
Ship rat or Norway rat? They are similar, but here are some tips to help you tell apart these two common introduced pests in New Zealand. New Zealand has launched an all out war against introduced predators that began back in 2016 when the government…
Predator control and the predator-free movement in New Zealand has become a hot topic over the past few years. Here is a brief history of predator control in New Zealand over the past 50 years. One of the best parts about living in New Zealand…