Events Programme - December 2024
Note! There is no Evening Meeting in December
3rd December- Wanderers’ walk.
Meet at the Bellringer Pavilion at 10:30
A relaxed walk is planned probably something that passes through the Victoria road area
19th December - Committee meeting
23th December- Wanderers’ walk.
Meet at the Bellringer Pavilion at 10:30
Our very popular Festival of Lights behind the scenes walk will be led by Fraser today. Come and see how it is set up, learn the back stories in preparation for the Festival.
Note: The date for this walk has been changed to 23rd to accommodate NPDC arrangements. The installation has been delayed unfortunately and this is the only date available. Still – a tour not to be missed!
Rhododendron maddenii 'White'
In flower in Rhododendron Dell Extension (next to path)
Review of October's Events
19th November- Wanderers’ walk.
Lead Mitch Graham
“Every day is a garden festival day here “ proclaimed Mitch as he led 18 of us through the Fernery. And it was just such a day. The obvious flowers, foliage and perfumes hit us when we walked though, and the background information was so very interesting.
We toured the “behind the scenes” propagation shed, learned what happens to plants when they are at the end of their display season, how they are pruned, rested, nurtured.
The display themselves, all in pots require daily and long term maintenance. Areas of the Fernery need clearing out, disinfecting, shelves replaced as needed, then to be rebuilt, windows cleaned. This can take 3 staff 2-3 weeks! Temperatures inside the area are well monitored, computer controlled to maintain the necessary level of heat.
A complex workplace.
Mitch has rearranged some areas, one to check out is the entrance from Rogan St which has been changed to more reflect the character of the Fernery. Try to remember to have a peek on your next visit.
Many thanks Mitch
Sue Matehaere Patten
28th November - Evening Meeting
Speaker - Abby Lagula
November's monthly meeting held Thursday 29th had an exceptional attendance of 20 people. It was a lively meeting with a lot of questions and general discussions.
The attraction was Abby Lagula who works in the Biosecurity Team from Taranaki Regional Council. Abby has a very interesting background - even border security - abroad!
Read more about Biosecurity here @ www.facebook.com/BioTaranaki
for more info on how our members can assist Biosecurity Taranaki and what it may involve.
One very good information booklet Abby gave out is "Weedbusters Taranaki", it is full of vital information on recognising (full colour pics) reporting advice, and removing and disposing of weeds.
From the Zoo
Gemma Andrew – Brooklands Zoo Keeper
Brooklands Zoo has three Campbell Island sheep: Balsamic, Feta, and their mum Tomato.
Tomato is a very sweet four-year-old who loves a scratch and her food. Balsamic is a one-year-old and detests silver beet but loves her pellets and grass. Feta is only two months old and a very cheeky little boy who loves getting his older sister in trouble with mum.
Cambell Island is one of New Zealand’s remote subantarctic islands and is a world heritage site. On average the island receives only 650 hours of sun per year and it rains 325 days a year, making it quite harsh living conditions. It is listed as an Important Birding Area with more than 100 native birds, some of which are critically endangered, including the Campbell teal, Campbell snipe. It’s also a breeding ground for southern royal albatross.
It was used as a whaling station from 1890 to the 1930s and as the last stop before Antarctica. Roughly 4,000 merino-cross sheep were shipped to the island over the years. The island was abandoned in 1931 and as a result, so were the sheep.
The sheep were well suited to the conditions and thrived without human care, growing to roughly 7,000-8,000 sheep. This resulted in destruction of the island’s plant life and had a major effect on the breeding bird populations.
In 1954, Campbell Island was registered as a wildlife reserve, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s that all remaining sheep were removed. Only 10 sheep were brought back to the mainland to maintain the heritage breed.
Currently, there is roughly only 40-50 breeding female Campbell Island sheep, on two farms in New Zealand, making them one of the world’s rarest sheep breeds.
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Our mailing address is:
Friends of Pukekura Park
PO BOX 484
New Plymouth, Taranaki 4340
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