localmatters.co.nz
May 3, 2017
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Inside this issue Stig’s tale Community rallies to find MP’s missing pet
page 3
Packed houses Churches’ growth plans revealed
page 11
Pill popping robot
Open sanctuaries senior ranger Matt Maitland cradles one of the 20 Little Spotted Kiwi that were introduced to Shakespear Regional Park last weekend.
First Kiwi set foot in Shakespear
As the first Little Spotted Kiwi to be introduced at Shakespear Open Sanctuary begin to explore their new environment this week, they are being closely monitored. If they settle in well, and breed, it boost for the population of this, our and speeches, there was a chance to take a close up look, and photos, of will be significant not only for the smallest and second most rare Kiwi. sanctuary but for the entire species. The main breeding season runs across the Kiwi, which were then taken into Twenty birds from Kapiti and Tiritiri winter and spring, making it possible the sanctuary for release. Matangi Islands were released into the that the next generation of Kiwi could The project was only possible because sanctuary at the end of Whangaparaoa be born at Shakespear early next year. of a large amount of work behind Peninsula on April 29 and 30. More than 200 invited guests were the scenes, including fundraising. Conservationists hope that the release at Te Haruhi Bay on April 29 to Shakespear Open Sanctuary (SOSSI) into a 500ha safe site could be a major welcome the birds. After a powhiri continued page 2
Chemist invests in automation
page 17
Close contest Murray Jones Shield goes down to the wire
page 29
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