

Events Programme to June 2025
Welcome to the events planned for 2025
We hope to see many members and visitors alike join us.
Wanderers’ and Curator’s walks
These walks generally leave from the Bellringer Pavilion (unless advised otherwise) at 10.30am and last approximately 90 minutes.
The monthly Thursday meetings (with a speaker and supper) are held at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau rooms near the YMCA on Liardet Street.
February
12th Committee meeting.
18th Wanderers’ walk.
Eastern hillside and bounds walks.
27th Thursday evening meeting - speaker - David Sampson
David will tell tales of “The Christmas Tree Story”.
March
4th Curator’s Walk.
7th Committee meeting.
18th Wanderers’ walk - Lead - Mark Henderson
Predator Control in the Park.
27th Annual General Meeting.
Historic film footage – the establishment, building of Brooklands Bowl.
April
1st Wanderers’ walk - Derek Hughes.
Derek, talented photographer and artist sees the Park through a different lens to most of us. His skills in showcasing colour, shapes, shadows and light will be shared with us as he focuses on the changing autumn colours, giving valuable photography tips along the way.
11th Committee meeting
15th Wanderers’ walk - The ornamental weeds.
Their presence and their level of pest in the Park. There are over 24,000 introduced plants growing in gardens and nurseries in New Zealand; a rough rule of thumb is that 10% of these will naturalise (establish in the wild), and 10% of these will become serious pests.
24th Thursday evening meeting - speaker - Tony Burrell.
Aotea Great Barrier Island ‘Spectacular by Nature’ Garden Tour
May
6th Wanderers’ walk - Alan Metcalfe.
Local Park historian, member of the Friends and volunteer buggy driver, will lead us on an informative historical walk through the Park.
15th Committee meeting
20th Wanderers’ walk - Lead - Cliff Lawrence.
Cliff will lead us around trees of Gondwanaland.
29th Thursday evening meeting - speakers will be from the NPDC Events team.
They will talk about the planning and logistics of events and future needs, in Brooklands Park particularly.
June
3rd Curator’s walk.
17 Wanderers’ walk.
19th Committee meeting
26th Thursday evening meeting - speakers - Jayne Bright and Barbara Hammonds, from Seed Savers Taranaki
Please note: Speakers and walk leaders are subject to change –Any changes will be notified by email and Facebook.
Review of January's Events
23 January - Gables Picnic with NP Arts Society
It was a sunny breezy afternoon which became a quiet, still sunny evening, and around 60 of us gathered with friends and picnic in the Gables gardens.
This is our way of starting the new year, and I think this picnic was the most enjoyable we have had.Thanks to the committee helpers who arranged and collected tables, arranged flowers, music.
Second Solution provided good easy listening music – guitars and vocals, with some of their original music included. They set the scene and the background music added to the relaxed atmosphere. I did notice a few people singing along towards the end!
Despite the dry, the gardens were looking stunning, as was the art work inside which we were able to view throughout the evening.
Thanks everyone for coming – see you in 2026!
Sue Matehaere Patten
From the Zoo
By Melissa Turner – Keeper Brooklands Zoo
2024 was a whirlwind of a year. After four years of volunteering and one summer student position in 2023, I finally felt ready to take the next step and enrol in the zookeeping course at Unitec.
The New Zealand Certificate in Captive Animal Management (Zookeeping) is a fulltime year-long course which combines online lectures from experts in the field, 280 hours of zookeeping work experience at an approved zoo, and three block courses in Auckland with field trips to Auckland Zoo!
Gratefully, I was accepted to Brooklands Zoo in my hometown for my work experience.
I learnt so much this past year – more than I could have ever imagined. Besides feeding and cleaning up after animals, I also learnt the importance of health and safety not only for us as zookeepers but also for the animals and visitors too.
Animal welfare was a recurring topic throughout the year, and I came away with a wealth of knowledge on how much work goes into ensuring optimal animal welfare in zoos.
Besides practical skills, I also learnt a lot about conservation and the crucial role zoos play in it. I have made some changes to live more sustainably myself and am excited to be a part of the change I wish to see in my future career.
I also gained some priceless memories like watching Tomato the sheep give birth to Feta, and watching Mani the capuchin carry her baby around on her back.
I could not have accomplished what I did this year without the support of Brooklands Zoo. I have gained some lifelong friends through the course and learnt things I will carry throughout my career. The keepers’ expertise and ongoing support has helped make my dreams come true.

Zookeeping student Melissa undergoing her practical end of year assessment.
Friends of Pukekura Park Membership Application Form
To apply for membership, either click on the link to our website page or download a pdf application form
Copyright © 2024 Friends of Pukekura Park, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Friends of Pukekura Park
PO BOX 484
New Plymouth, Taranaki 4340
New Zealand
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