Newsletter - February 2026
- Feb 28
- 4 min read
Events Programme March 2026
3rd - Curator’s Walk.
Meet at Bellringer Pavilion 10.30
10th - Committee meeting
17th - Wanderers’ Walk. Lead - Tony Barnes
Meet at Zoo carpark 10.30 a.m.
Tony will be leading us with a focus on the deciduous trees in Brooklands Park.
26th Evening Meeting - Speaker Georgie Ngametua
Citizens Advice Bureau, next to the Y.M.C.A. - 7pm
Antarctic Expedition: Georgie Ngametua (WITT/ DOC) visited Antarctica in December and will share some of the amazing sights she saw on the voyage, from mega-herbs to birdlife.
Below are downloadable pdf 's of the schedule of upcoming events and a membership application form
Review of February's Events
February 17 - Wanderers' Walk
Historic Brooklands
Lead - Alan Metcalfe
A dozen of us gathered at the zoo car park, kitted up for wet weather to join the Wanderers Walk of Brooklands Park. The weather proved us wrong and the sun came out pretty quickly with a beautiful blue sky.
Alan is a wealth of knowledge of the history of New Plymouth and the Park. We’re very privileged to have him lead us through the walk this morning.
He began the walk outlining the settlement of New Plymouth and how lots of the original settlers have roads named after them – Cutfield Road, Aubrey Place, King Street, Leach Street, Vivian St to name a few.
We looked at the old chimney, the story behind it then the site where Newton King's house was built.
The tales were fascinating as we progressed around Brooklands garden into parts of the ancient forest with the old Karaka and Puriri trees.
I recommend anyone interested in history on NP that you follow Alan's walks whenever you get the opportunity
Many thanks Alan
Sue
February 26th - Evening Meeting
Speaker - Tristan Cave
A small group attended the evening talk by Tristan Cave (Cave Landscapes).
He told us his work history including working at Duncan and Davies nursery early in his career. He spent time in the UK working at some big name nurseries/landscape companies. Tristan and his brother have set up a nursery growing ornamentals near Waitara. He branched out in 2006 setting up Cave Landscapes.
Two takeaways from his talk were:
With smaller size properties these days a lot of attention goes into the design of paths and correct type of pavers that work with the smaller planting areas.
He talked about some clients requesting eco locally sourced plants. This can be a real challenge obtaining these plants which are normally grown to order. He has helped on some larger projects where a ‘out of region’ truck has arrived and dropped off the ‘local’ plants. It is possible the seed was sourced locally and propagated at an away specialised nursey and then returned but….
Finding out what is the local variety can also be challenging as plants have been moved around the country for centuries now. Māori moved Karaka, Kowhai, Pohutukawa, Hebes, Harakeke (flax) and many others as they traded or settled in new locations. New species to areas is also creating hybrids with local species. Some of these hybrids are hard to identify from local material.
The big roading projects use eco sourcing for the seeds and propagate at large nurseries to get the quantities required at a super cheap price. Things can go wrong. On the Kapiti Expressway which used 800,000 local seed sourced plants, an eagle eyed ecologist spotted kunzea ericoides (Kanuka) from Northland growing instead of the requested local kunzea robusta. Another audit found Tasmanian ngaio. Similar in appearance to New Zealand ngaio, the Australian variety is listed as an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries. 21,000 trees had to be ripped out and replaced with the correct species.
Tristan showed us slides of some of his landscaping projects and other special landscape plantings around the country. Pukekura Park is a special place for him.
Special thanks to Bernie Shaw who provided an excellent supper.
Tony
From the Zoo
Animal Events at Brooklands Zoo
By Jolene Beattie (Senior Keeper)
Brooklands Zoo has become well-known for its lively calendar of animal‑themed events, each designed to celebrate the remarkable species that call the zoo home while inspiring visitors to learn, connect, and care.
Among the most popular annual highlights are World Meerkat Day, International Cotton‑headed Tamarin Day, and Owl Awareness Day – three occasions that bring the zoo to life with colour, curiosity, and conservation‑focused fun.
World Meerkat Day is always a crowd‑pleaser. Brooklands Zoo’s meerkat mob already draws steady attention with their charismatic poses and constant activity, but this special day gives visitors a deeper look into their world. Keepers host interactive talks explaining meerkat social structures, sentry behaviour, and the challenges these animals face in the wild. The event blends entertainment with education, leaving guests with a newfound appreciation for these desert-dwellers.
International Cotton‑headed Tamarin Day shifts the spotlight to one of the zoo’s most endearing primates. With their distinctive white crests and expressive personalities, cotton‑headed tamarins quickly win hearts – but their critically endangered status makes awareness essential.
On this day, Brooklands Zoo highlights the threats facing tamarins in their native Colombian forests, including habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Keeper talks help visitors understand the importance of conservation breeding programmes and habitat protection. The event often includes activities for younger guests, encouraging them to think about how everyday choices can support wildlife.
Owl Awareness Day rounds out the trio with a focus on the zoo’s resident owls and their wild counterparts. This event invites visitors to explore the mysterious world of nocturnal birds, learning about their adaptations, hunting techniques, and ecological importance.
Keeper talks often include discussions about the threats owls face, such as habitat fragmentation and rodent poisons. The day encourages people to see owls not just as symbols of wisdom, but as vital predators that help maintain healthy ecosystems.
Together, these events reflect Brooklands Zoo’s commitment to conservation, education, and community engagement.
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
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