Jan 30 - Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Our next stop was at the Rainbow Springs Nature Park, home of the National Kiwi Hatchery. This is the world’s leading kiwi conservation centre. The recovery efforts here are helping New Zealand’s national icon to be pulled back from the brink of extinction. Before we saw the hatchery, we explored the rainbow trout ponds, saw flax (used for making rope, baskets, mats), silver ferns (a noted national symbol of New Zealand), kea (birds) and lots of tuatara (like iguanas). The hatchery tour was fascinating. A kiwi egg has only a 5% chance of surviving in the wild because of the invasive predator species introduced. Operation One Nest The efforts here have a 95% hatchery success rate - when strong enough to stoat-proof weight, the kiwis are released back into pest-free areas. Over 2000 chicks have been successfully released. A female kiwi has two ovaries - she produces two huge eggs. It would be like a human woman giving birth to a pair of 4-year old twins. Ouch!!!

We did a quick tour of Rotorua where we will be staying for two nights. Then we did a quick group shot and then settled in at the hotel. The food here is lovely and beautifully presented. Not sure what I ate for dinner but it was delicious.

It’s a 7:00 a.m. wakeup call tomorrow to be followed by a big adventure!!

Top Row: Fred Pincock, David Marquardt, Richard Pike, Tony Graham, Peter Nancollis, Linda Cruikshank (driver), Bob Hall, Henry Skrobalak, Ian Arnold

Bottom Row: Pat Pincock, Jennifer Marquardt, Marianne Franklin, Shannon Graham, Jenny Craig, Maureen Crane, Gaynor Hall, Irene Skrobakak, Carol PooleLæs mere