The kiwi juveniles, range in age from 4-7 months old. They were hatched from eggs recovered from the Hurunui and Hawdon valleys as part of the Bank of New Zealand Operation Nest Egg™ (ONE) programme, sponsored by the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust.
Once the chicks are large enough to protect themselves from stoats, their primary predator in the wild, they will be released into Arthur’s Pass National Park.
As Riccarton Bush is the only predator-free enclosure in a natural setting in Canterbury, it is being used as a temporary measure. A purpose-designed enclosure is being developed to accommodate increasing numbers of kiwi juveniles in the future.
“The people of Christchurch will be key to the success of this kiwi crèche. We ask all visitors to keep to the tracks and keep all dogs out.
Resident Riccarton Bush caretaker John Moore is confident that the enclosure is safe from predators and the public will respect kiwi being there.
“In fact the public will neither see not hear them as they sleep during the day and the enclosure is locked at night when they’ll be out foraging for food.
The two hour guided Christchurch City Bike Tour includes a 10 minute walk through Riccarton Bush. Click here for more information...
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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key recently appeared on the 'Late Show with David Letterman', delivering the 'Top Ten' list. Key is also New Zealand's Minsiter for Tourism, so he wasted no opportunity to promote our fanastic country!
TOP 10
John Key's top 10 list on the David Letterman Late Show:
1. Unlike most of the world, we still like Americans.
2. We drive on the left side of the road, like the British and Lindsay Lohan.
3. 70 per cent of our energy is generated through renewable hydro power look, these don't all have to be jokes.
4. Visit in the next 30 days, I'll pick you up at the airport.
5. Get the whanau together, stay in a bach, crack open the chilly bin and slap on your jandals.
6. Down there Leno's on at 9 o'clock.
7. It's like England without the attitude.
8. Only a convenient 20-hour flight away.
9. We have the loosest slot machines in the Pacific rim.
10. The Auckland airport now has a Cinnabon (a chain store specialising in sweet Danish pastries).
Click here to view John Key on The Late Show with David Letterman
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The bicycle was invented by Germany’s Barn von Drias in 1817. The 'Draisienne' was a steerable bicycle that was almost completely made of wood, it had no pedals and riders propelled it by pushing their feet against the ground. It went at a speed of 15km/hr and in 1842 it was equipped with solid rubber tires.
Several years later Kirkpatrick MacMillan (a Scottish blacksmith) designed the MacMillan velocipede, the first bike to be ridden without touching your feet to the ground.
In 1869 the Reynolds' of Great Britain released the 'ordinary-drive Phantom'. It was an epoch-making development with its light-weight metal frame, first wheels to ever use a double-spoke construction, solid rubber tires nailed to wooden wheels, and other innovations.
Haven't things come along way to what we use now!
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Once a year, on Daffodil Day, the gates to the magnificent grounds of the stately Otahuna Lodge are opened and the public are permitted entry. Let me walk you through our experience...
We entered the grounds through the Daffodil Field, where we caught our first glimpse of the grand, historic, Otahuna Homestead. Via an old wooden bridge we made our way over the lilly pond and onto the great lawn to get a closer look at the luxurious building.
Following the garden path we wandered through the apple orchard and made our way over to Potager Garden, where the homestead's vegetables are grown in the old stallions paddock.
We walked through the stables (via the pet calves) and made our way to the brick 'Apple Shed'. This building played a vital role in the estate's history, serving as the refrigerator for the fresh produce for many years before electricity was invented.
We meandered through the Dutch Garden and the Lower Woodland before getting up close and personal with the homestead. Otahuna Lodge was impressive to say the least. From its hand-painted stained glass windows, to the brick work on the chimneys, the detail and scale was amazing.
Before leaving the grounds we turned back for one last glance at the lodge and caught its reflection in the still waters of the lilly pond - how picturesque!
... and its gates are now closed for another year.
We thoroughly recommend Daffodil Day at Otahuna Lodge (especially if you are a garden lover!). Cost is $15 per person and all proceeds go to the Cancer Society.
For more information visit http://www.otahuna.co.nz
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Click here to read about Heather's Christchurch Bike Tour experience here...
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