Ahead of a visit to Orokonui Ecosanctuary this summer, polish up your mātauraka taiao with Madison Kelly and Taylor Davies-Colley.

Raumati/summer is in full swing at Orokonui. The whole Orokonui team are looking forward to a busy season, full of birdsong and adventurous visitors ready to learn about our incredible taiao.

It has been a huge year for the sanctuary, and for conservation news around the country.

So, test your native wildlife knowledge against these photos taken at Orokonui by comms lead Taylor Davies-Colley.

Question 1

 Orokonui is home to the only East Coast population of which native parrot?

A. Kea

B. Kākāpō

C. Kākāriki

D. Kākā?

Question 2 

This kōkō/tūī is dusted in the indigo pollen of which vibrant flowering plant?

Question 3

 Orokonui is home to many avian predators including these young cavity dwellers. Can you identify the chicks in this nest box?

Question 4 

This special native tick is completely endemic to which reptile?

Question 5

 Which flightless South Island native left these footprints in the snow?

Question 6 

This pūkāwerewere/native spider is named for its unique weaving. Is it an ...

A. Orb weaver

B. Nursery web spider or

C. Tunnel web?

Question 7

 Kererū feasting on ripe red miro fruit is a signal for which significant annual event?

Question 8 

The parent of this chick might give you a fright if you get too close! Who is pictured here in their forest floor nest?

Answers

1 D. Kākā

2 Kōtukutuku, giant tree fuschia

3 Ruru/morepork

4 The tuatara, home to the tuatara tick Archaeocroton sphenodonti

5 Takahē

6 B. Nursery web spider, Dolomedes minor

7 Puaka Matariki

8 Kārearea, the native falcon

Madison Kelly is lead kaiārahi/guide and Taylor Davies-Colley is comms lead at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.