Podcasts about pohutukawa

Yep – I realise this is a weird and busy time – running around with presents and Family and kids that hunt for the elf on the shelf. Seeing Family members is the moment to re-connect. But deep down inside I am looking forward to checking up on my last few babies of the “little Owl”. A creature introduced from Europe. I remember it well: making a nest in hollow Willow Trees along the rivers of the Netherlands. Often visible during the day, sitting on posts along the farm fences. They – literally – are little owls; about half the size of ruru. We created nest boxes for them and they love living in those apartments. These owls feed on introduced birds, large insects, flies and moths. All we do is find them in their nesting boxes and tag them with some rings around their legs – each ring has its own number and we can keep track of them when we catch them again. Gorgeous birds – especially when they make that wonderful “Wheeeew” noise outside my bedroom at night. They tend to be late breeders, starting mid October or early November, with the young birds fledging just before Christmas. Look out for them in the South Island – Cute little owls! A real treat. Pohutukawa and other members of the iron-hearted trees (Metrosideros) These are best trees in NZ – great for the north (where pohutukawa is naturally distributed from N-Cape to a line east –west from Hawkes Bay to Taranaki). Yes, they do occur further south (as people took them everywhere) but here we should look for their close relatives the Rata Trees. In flower – right now – they'll be attracting the widest variety of pollinators … not just honey-bees. Bumble bees, a huge number of Native bee species and Houseflies, blowflies, flesh flies and Bibionid flies (Blossom Flies) as well as pollinating beetles (carpet beetles!!). Carpet beetle on pohutukawa flower stalk – pollinating our native tree. We usually consider these beetles as domestic pest, but eating our carpets and woollen clothes is merely the job they've always done on our planet: recycling the hair and wool of dead animals. I love going out at night with a torch in the garden. You'll find stuff you never see! One step further: get a UV Torch and light up the world around you. The UV light changes all the colours you think you know… Insects see their world through UV light; Now you can see what bugs see! Flowers change colours with UV and lichens (On tree trunks) can be totally weird! Here is a segment of a tree trunk with various lichens on the bark: On the left the original colours you see in ordinary torch light – On the right through UV light Note the yellow lichens turn Red! Why? No Idea; but it fascinates me toobserve and find out about that colour reflection And while we're looking around, see if you can spot one of our 13 species of Pseudoscorpions, also known as the “false scorpions". Kind-of related to the real and venomous scorpions that scare the living daylight out of Humans: they belong to the group of Arachnids: 8 legs etc etc and pincers that stick out and make them impossible to mis-identify. They catch other invertebrates for food (caterpillars, small critters, larvae and all sorts of tasty critters. Often seen near compost bins where their prey is numerous. Tiny things (a few millimetres or so) and using flies as their private Uber taxis to get from one place to another. They simply grab the legs of house flies and hitch a ride to the next compost bin – the same destination that flies are looking for Christmas is a fabulous time look around – you might find creatures you never knew we had in our country. Enjoy! LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Established in 1863, the gardens cover 21 hectares and feature a diverse collection of plants from around the world. As well as a Rose Garden and Herb Garden, the botanic garden is home to majestic trees, including the giant sequoia. Standing beneath these giants is a humbling experience. The New Zealand Garden showcases native flora like the silver fern and Pohutukawa tree, creating lush, natural landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A few weeks ago, the New Zealand Arboriculture Association stunned New Zealanders with a remarkable Tree-of-the-Year competition won by the walking tree. The magnificent Northern Rata (Metrosideros robusta) looks like it is walking on high heels (see Gareth Andrew's stunning photograph).  As it happens, this rata species belongs to the myrtle group that includes pohutukawa and many different climbing rata, as well as Southern rata and the extremely rare Bartletts rata.  I love these trees; they are endemic to New Zealand. Yes, only in New Zealand! This is where they evolved.  Some Northern Rata germinate from the ground like any other boring tree, but the majority of Northern Rata is known as a Hemi-Epiphyte (not a true strangling epiphyte that uses another tree for support and “lifestyle”).  It usually starts life from a seed that lands somewhere in the canopy of a host tree (many different tree species can be a host: from podocarps to tawa, mahoe, beech, kamahi and even tree ferns.  The magic starts when the germinated plant becomes an epiphyte (perching plant) for the beginning of its life, sending roots downwards to the ground – Takes Ages!! Often many decades. The descending roots are usually “fused” together and become a tough root system.     It also sends some shoots with leaves upward to the lighter parts of the host trees' canopy. The rata has a rather constant root-to-shoot ratio as it is growing up.  One of the roots will become dominant as it reaches the soil where the nutrients are; the shoots then have plenty of food to race up to the top of the host tree and create their own Photosynthetic factory.  Rata can be hundreds of years old – perhaps beyond 1000 years!   The original “host tree” usually dies well before the Rata is getting to its maximum size. As the host decays, the rata will “stand on its own feet” and is left with a hollow trunk – a great home for bats and native birds in the forest!  Why does this tree look like a “walking” Tree?  Look again at the picture: old, descending fused roots on the left and a rather smooth “trunk” on the right.  Rata (and pohutkawa) are able to grow new roots when and where they are needed from anywhere on the tree – and they can do so relatively quickly.  The hypothesis (proposed by my old mate Stephen King) is that the old Rata tree developed a “lean” when the old host tree perished. A new vertical root (the right one) became a smooth trunk to support the new vertical crown.  And just to make things a bit more extraordinary in the story of this walking tree: Take a look at the old fused roots on the left: This is now the spot where a pohutukawa decided to start its own life on the ancient roots of that walking Northern Rata!  If you are interested in trees and spectacular notable trees, visit the notable trees register.    More info on Rata and other Metrosideros species, cruise to the Project Crimson Website.  And grab a copy of Philip Simpson's book Pohutukawa & Rata – New Zealand's iron-hearted Trees.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I never expected that my degree in Forestry from Wageningen University would come in handy at this late stage of my life.  Thank you, Jack!  Pruning plants in the garden is something that most gardeners can learn reasonably quickly. Yes, there will be some mistakes along the way, but hey! That's how you gain experience.  Hedges are the next stage up in competence – they are often large plants (or really small trees). The key to pruning hedges is to do it relatively frequently – say 3 times per year or even more. Every time to take a bit off the hedge, you cut the terminal buds off (the buds at the end of a twig or branch). This in itself causes the lateral buds, a little bit lower down, to grow out and take over from the terminal buds.  In the case of hedge plants, this will make them a lot more dense, especially if a few lateral buds will grow out at different levels, taking over from that one terminal bud you just removed.  Pruning trees is based on similar botanical systems, but tackling that big stuff requires a course or three in arboriculture, safety and balance.  Some trees are pretty easy to tackle: your plane tree is a great example. Go and visit Franklin Road in Auckland and you'll see how you can pollard those monsters every few years by cutting them back to the required height, and keep them there for decades to come; the same with the willows in the Netherlands.  Pohutukawa are different again; they can be trimmed in a few ways. I saw an elaborate pruning gig going on at Ngapipi Road (off Tamaki drive), whereby a substantial pohutukawa was pruned like a hedge (no doubt complaints about interrupted views from the locals on the opposite side of the road).  That might do the trick, but a pohutukawa is not naturally a dense hedge. Usually, it looks like a rather open tree with lots of space for birds to fly through.  This is the way you maintain that open tree configuration: cut a few branches out of the middle and pick them at various heights so it doesn't look too bland and butchered.  Remember, every tree has its own “natural” look. It pays to trim it in such a way that it will maintain that look.  Here is a schematic picture of how I would suggest pruning such trees and keep them looking good.  1) It's always best to start pruning a tree early; the smaller the wound, the faster it heals, and there is less reactive growth.  2) When you want to reduce a tree, it's best to start when it's approx 1-2 meters taller than you want it.  3) If trees are important in your garden and in your life, sniff out an experienced arborist who loves the trees just as much as you do. Look for arborists that are members of the NZArb association - It's probably best to avoid having work done by someone who comes door-knocking.  4) Spend some time running through the way the job will be executed; you can make it “arty”.  5) Have a chat to the neighbours about what the plans are and why (privacy, biodiversity, bird food).  6) Take the day of the “operation” off work and be part of the team as much as possible.  Honestly: it's the way to achieve the best possible outcome for your garden, the trees, the planet!  “Thinning” Photo / ISA (International Society of Arboriculture)  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have caught me talking about Psyllids, from time to time. Especially the Tomato-Potato Psyllid.  This is an insect that appeared in New Zealand around 2006 and it makes a mess of the two main hosts: Tomatoes and Potatoes.  The Tomato-Potato Psyllid. Photo / Supplied  As a fanatic tomato grower, I always keep a serious eye out this thing and practice a lot of weed control (Solanum weeds – the overwintering hosts of my crops). I also use regular Neem sprays to stop the Psyllid nymphs (immatures) from developing on my tomatoes.  Like most Psyllids, they are sapsuckers; taking the sweet sugars out of the plant to extract Nitrogen for growth of their bodies. They excrete the sweet materials as “honeydew” which in itself is a great food for other insects, but also birds and certainly black, sooty mould.  Another Exotic Psyllid species came in the late 1990's and is often found on Syzygium smithii, mostly known as “Monkey apple”, Lilly-Pilly, or the old name Acmena. It is often used to form fast-growing hedges.  Black hedges, especially in the warmer north, due to copious amounts of sooty mould.  Lilly-Pilly is considered a weed in our country, so the psyllid is perhaps helping to suppress this exotic plant somewhat.  But in NZ we have our own, Native species too:  On Pohutukawa and Rata, for instance (Trioza curta), and a species on Pittosporum (Trioza vitreoradiata).  Both these natives suck juices out of the leaves of their host, causing distortions and dimples.  Isn't that causing some severe stress and damage to these native hosts?  The creation of the dimples is also no doubt under the influence of toxins or enzymes injected by the young, sedentary nymphs. But the astonishing thing is that the actual health of the Pohutukawa, rata or pittosporum is rarely, if ever, severely affected as a result of these psyllids. Mind you, they've been living together now for many millions of years, and the evolutionary processes will have reached a nice balance between the sucker and its host plant.  But when we take a detailed look at this symbiosis, we must ask ourselves the question why the Pohutukawa facilitates the psyllids by creating cosy little dimples?  The answer can be found at a surprising location: the rear end of the larvae. You see, that's where the sweet excrement is being produced.  Pittosporum psyllid being “milked” by a native ant. Photo / Supplied  Native ant species will patrol the psyllids and collect any sugary waste products that may become available, and while doing so, they protect the psyllid nymphs and the leaves they are living on! Indeed, Pohutukawa and rata leaves with psyllids on them are almost always without any chewing damage.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before you finish up your summer roadie, take a stop at the Crimson Coast.  The Pohutukawa are in flower right through Thames and up the coast to Coromandel, Mayor Len Salt calling the sight “absolutely spectacular.”  He told Tim Dower that any tour of the Coromandel starts with a stock up, and there's no better place the heritage and history filled town of Thames.  Once you've had your fill, follow the Crimson Coast north to Coromandel, taking in all the bays along the way including the iconic Cathedral Cove.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the time for planting. I've never been so busy as last week in the vegetable garden – even got to catch up with some serious pruning back-log.  Gardeners can be very useful creatures that support our native and endangered trees, shrubs and climbers. Some of our endemic taonga are literally on the brink of extinction and planting these botanical specimens in appropriate places is like putting your eggs in many baskets.  1) Metrosideros bartlettii is also known as the Bartlett's Rata; it occurs naturally in the far north of our country. Being a “rata” means it is closely related to pohutukawa and other species of Rata. But this one is pretty unique: its bark is grey-white and feels (and sheds) like tissue paper. The flowers are not red, but white and look just like Pohutukawa or rata in shape  Rare?  Oh yes: just 13 adult trees are left in our country; of the five “genotypes”, just one has been propagated from. Some trees are on private land – not sure about their future safety.  Browsing animal pests (think possums, deer, goats etc) are the main cause of decline. And now we have myrtle rust as well!  Myrtle Rust on Metrosideros. Photo / Supplied  2) Tecomanthe speciosa – the Three Kings Vine – is an absolute stunner of a liane. It is readily available in garden centres and can grow in a wide range of climatological conditions.  As a climber it needs good support from other trees – it also needs lots of space, moisture in the soil, and it prefers to have the roots in the shade.  The plant starts to bloom after 2 or 3 years growing up (patience!) – but will reward you with large, creamy-white tubular flowers in clusters, attracting native birds. Tecomanthe can be grown from seeds or cuttings; it's frost tender, so plant it in areas that are subtropical.  Rare?  It's the rarest plant in the world: One vine was discovered on Great Island (Three Kings Group, NW of Cape Reinga) in 1945; Feral Goats (who else?) were the cause of this plant's decline. That original plant is still there – but struggling, since the eradication of goats have caused huge forest growth, shading that particular specimen.  3) Ngutukākā (also known as Kākābeak). Clianthus maximus and Clianthus puniceus are two species that originally occurred in Northland and the Auckland Region, especially Hauraki Gulf.  Its history in European times involves Captain Cook's 1769 Nature Nerds Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, who “discovered” the plant at Uawa (Tolaga Bay) in Tairāwhiti. The brilliant red flowers were visible from the ship and common on hill sides.  That likely indicates that Maori were keen on Ngutukākā (trading them?) and planted them in many places.  Browsing animals cause havoc (deer, goats – who else? – stock, pigs, hares) but also introduced garden snails and native kowhai moth caterpillars.  On my last trip to Tairāwhiti it was wonderful to see ngutukākā everywhere, especially near schools.  Thank you Graeme Atkins!! This is the modern mahi following on from the Maori History.  As relatives of kowhai (pea Family) these plants can fix Nitrogen from the air and therefore can grow in nutrient-poor soils. They like to grow in light-spots (where trees have fallen over and caused an opening in the canopy) or slip faces.  Seed is viable for a long time. The red flowers are a beacon for tui and bellbird and other nectar feeders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speaker & Worship Leader:- Vivienne Allen Recorded at Auckland Unitarian Church 5th March 2023 have always been drawn to trees. Until I turned 10 I spent most of my spare time climbing trees on our farm. Back then I divided all trees into two categories; good and bad; the good ones were those great for climbing such as Pohutukawa, some Lawsons, oaks and others with wide low branches. The bad ones which were not good for climbing were trees like Lombardy poplars that were too upright or didn't have low branches. Luckily our sharemilkers had 7 children for me to play with and our favourite activity was to climb trees. We even used to enjoy climbing the nectarine trees in the orchard in summer, sitting up in the branches munching nectarines on a hot day. For more information see:- https://aucklandunitarian.org.nz/my-passionate-journey/

Although it might not feel like summer right now, we know summer's here with so many Pohutukawa tree's breaking out in blossom. This year the huge yellow Pōhutukawa tree at Okitu, in Tairāwhiti Gisborne is in full bloom.

Donald Knuth, the father of computer science, discusses cognition and the shraddhas. He also takes a moment to talk about the coves and pohutukawa trees.

OK… as promised, last week...  Language and definitions: Native – Endemic – Beneficial – Pest  A NATIVE organism is firmly established in NZ; it's origin could be from overseas (or an ancient continent like Gondwanaland), but it got here, somehow, on its own accord (flying, drifting on logs, floating in the air, etc) without assistance from humans (luggage, commercial goods, planes, boats, smuggled, imported, etc)  ENDEMIC means it naturally occurs only in New Zealand, nowhere else, unless it has been introduced there. It is therefore a Native organism that is really special as it has been part of our ecosystems for many many years (millions of years)  Because our Native and Endemic organisms are important contributors to our ecosystem, they are BENEFICIAL to a lot of other species that live here – pollen-providers, pollinators, nectar manufacturers, food source, etc etc  A PEST is often and introduced species (either by accident or stupidity) that has a negative impact on our ecosystems or… our ABILITY to grow crops/fruit/food; a PEST can also be a species that got here on its own accord through unfortunate migration  Flowers right now and can be absolutely stunning!  It naturally occurs from Cape Reinga (Te Paki) all the way down to line from Taranaki to Mahia Peninsula. So… it is an ENDEMIC plant species  It doesn't like frost very much at all, but when you plant it in a nice location, protected from the frost you'll find it'll thrive all the way down the South Island.  It grows well on the Port Hills, where it is a fabulous nectar source for native birds and native bees, moths and butterflies – I suppose you could call it beneficial  You can see it is a close relative of the famous endemic relative Metrosideros excelsa aka Pohutukawa. (Similar distribution area in NZ)  The carmine rātā is normally a “climbing rātā”, winding its stem around a tree trunk to get to the top where light levels are higher and photosynthesis is enhanced.  But when you take semi-hardwood cuttings from this rata, it will form as a shrub and it won't climb. Most carmine rātā you can buy are taken from cuttings and therefore stay as a spectacular red-flowering bush, up to almost a meter high.  It loves well-drained soil with lots of organic material (think of the conditions in the soil of a native forest with lots of compost, formed by fallen leaves and branches); don't let them dry out and keep the roots cool-ish…  Climbing rātā will go up rock walls and tree trunks in your garden; the shrub form does need quite a bit of sun if you want to see the spectacular crimson flowers.  Seeds form in summer to early autumn (in case you want to try and propagate a climbing crimson rātā)  The only PEST encountered on these Metrosideros species is MYTLE RUST.  Blown on the wind (by itself – like a NATIVE!!!) from Australia and settled in North and Western areas of the North Island and slowly spreading further south  A PEST with a Capital P. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well-wishers on the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi have been paying their respects to the Queen in the shadow of the same Pohutukawa tree Elizabeth planted on site almost 70 years ago. Hundreds of well-wishers have paused there to leave flowers or else pay their respect. The Queen herself was a monarch who heard the call of the karanga and haka pohiri in the many visits to Aotearoa, as she was welcomed by mana whenua. And she listened. Waitangi National Trust board chairperson Pita Tipene spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Spiritual teacher Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber speaks on astrological midlife, focusing on soul and how to dance to the different songs of the planets as they influence us.Franchelle is a spiritual teacher, multi-award winning vibrational medicine specialist, a fully trained and qualified professional clinical hypnotherapist, astrologer, healer, medicine woman, high priestess, ritual shamaness and is the author of two books on sacred plant medicine and eighth ray ritual and magic.Explore Franchelle's many soul-focused offerings as http://www.franchelle.com Here is Franchelle interviewing Sarah about the origins of this podcast. The original music in the latter part of the show is Pohutukawa from the album Saturn Return by Sarah Marlowe. Listen to music that Sarah sings on via this Spotify playlist.Theme music is Trust by Sarah Marlowe Spence, on the album Awake by Premratna. The show's cover art is by Samantha Hepburn Art. Details on astrological transits are covered in Episode Nine.

The story of Matariki is being shared every evening in Auckland this week, by coloured spotlights shining into the central Auckland sky. Stardome Observatory and Planetarium is putting on the show as part of its celebrations for the first Matariki public holiday on Friday. Spotlights installed onto the roof of Stardome planetarium are displaying the Matariki-themed light show this week. An accompanying soundtrack by Dan Nathan uses taonga pūoro played by Kelly Kahukiwa with vocals from Huia Hamon. Chief executive Victoria Travers says the planetarium wanted to put something together to mark the special occasion. "We took some guidance, quite a lot of guidance from Professor Rangi Mātāmua, and worked with incredible creatives to find something that was fitting, that not just was beautiful, but actually spoke to the kaupapa of Matariki." The light show takes six minutes and tells the tale of the different phases of Matariki, and the stars in the cluster. Stardome educator Olive Karena-Lockyer says each star has its own distinct identity and meaning, including Matariki itself, which represents the mother, with the other stars her children. "Tupuānuku and Tupuarangi which are connected to food harvested from the ground and the sky. There's Waipunarangi and Ururangi which are connected to the rain and the wind, so the weather. There's Waitī and Waita, which are connected to freshwater and saltwater, which are associated with the kai that we gather from the waters, and then the last two are Hiwa i te Rangi and Pōhutukawa." Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is the youngest star and represents hopes and wishes for the year ahead, while Pohutukawa represents those who have passed away. Karena-Lockyer says it's not just Matariki that holds importance among Māori. Puanga, a star to the east of the cluster, marks the new year for many communities in the far north, far south and the west of the motu, while Rehua, which appears to Matariki's right, holds the same significance for others. Māori astronomer Dr Mātāmua worked alongside Stardome on the light show, and he says it's a great way to tell the story of Matariki. "You could see the red of Pohutukawa, and there was that remembrance kind of reflecting on those who have passed, and the movements and then the sound, and then the celebration with all the other lights coming into play. I think it's wonderful how we can express something that's unique to us, where we are in the world, and from, you know, this from Aotearoa in other forms." Dr Mātāmua says he hopes people take this opportunity to learn more about Matariki. The Stardome light show begins at 6.30pm each night this week and runs until Saturday.

The pohutukawa, Aotearoa's Christmas tree, is in full bloom now in many parts of the country, signalling it's time to head to the beach. But just two decades ago the future of the iconic tree was in doubt. Robyn Haugh, Chief Executive of Project Crimson, a charitable trust dedicated to protect and restore the pohutukawa and rata, says New Zealanders are embracing the idea of donating trees around the country.

The pohutukawa, Aotearoa's Christmas tree, is in full bloom now in many parts of the country, signalling it's time to head to the beach. But just two decades ago the future of the iconic tree was in doubt. Robyn Haugh, Chief Executive of Project Crimson, a charitable trust dedicated to protect and restore the pohutukawa and rata, says New Zealanders are embracing the idea of donating trees around the country.

South hemisphere 南半球 prawn 明蝦 Pohutukawa 紐西蘭聖誕樹 Christmas Carol 聖誕歌頌 cricket 板球 Powered by Firstory Hosting

We have blooming Pohutukawa and Santa parades, in Sweden a rowdy Yule Goat cruises around demanding gifts. Christmas around the world is celebrated in unique and interesting ways. Alex Palmer collects the weird and wonderful holiday traditions from across the globe for his new book, The Atlas of Christmas.

A small smattering of various stories all about plants, how they came to be and why they are the way they are!Here are some ways you can support HANZ!Become a Patron!https://www.patreon.com/historyaotearoaBuy some merch!https://teespring.com/stores/hanz-podcast★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Air traffic Control  Heading towards summer there are soooo many shrubs, climbers and trees in flower, luring in pollinators and other organisms, interested in the protein of pollen and the carbohydrates of nectar. On some plants it simply is great entertainment to just sit or stand still and watch what flies there. And it all flies there without air traffic control!  Pohutukawa and some of the rata species flower around Christmas and they’re usually very busy indeed.  The usual suspects: honey bees (Apis mellifera) and at least two species of bumble bees: the common, large earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and the large Garden bumble bee (Bombus ruderatus). Their ideas are to gather nectar (it is merely sugar water, a quick energy fix with a kick) for energy and to store it as honey in the nest. They also collect pollen which is fed to the larvae (for growth)  The often unseen bees: Our native bee species (27 different species in all)! They tend to be small. Most species are so-called “solitary” bees; a pair (but really... mostly the female!) digs their own, narrow tunnel in the ground; there she makes a small nest for a few off-spring, raised on nectar and especially pollen. On the food plants they stand out as active little dark-coloured bees. You’ll find them on Manuka as well.  The unexpected pollinators: flies of all shapes and sizes, colours and descriptions. The idea of a free lunch is simply too good for most of these insects. Houseflies, blowflies, fleshflies and Dilophus nigrostimus, a native Bibionid fly which is black and red and has a rather long-ish head. You often find these flies feeding in large numbers on pollen of flowers along the road-sides. Bibionids are known overseas as “march flies”; we often call them Blossom Flies, which seems a lot more appropriate. Thrips: If you go to your optometrist regularly and look real close, you can even find thrips and such minute insects clambering around the pollen – it’s just part of the free-for-all. Many people think thrips are pests (and indeed, some of them are, but the majority are either predators of useful pollinators. Beetles and other invertebrates: When rata and pohutukawa leaves emerge from the buds in spring, a lot of them have small, often circular, holes in them. Blame a tiny native weevil (Neomycta rubida) for these activities. The weevil is already present inside the unfolding buds to take advantage of the freshest virgin foliage on earth. The weevils lay their eggs in the leaf stalks and the ensuing larvae mine the foliage. Of course, when the small adult weevils cruise the Metrosideros leaves, birds are quite eager to snap them up. To a silvereye, they are nothing more than convenient, bite-sized packages of protein.  Some beetle species are also frequenting pohutukawa and rata flowers; that includes some ladybird beetles. Pollen and nectar provide them with the nutrients to lay eggs in amongst aphids and scale insects in your garden In the rough bark live weta, large predatory flightless beetles and native roaches. You’ll see those at night. And although they might not fly around our Christmas Trees and rata vines, they are just as much part of the Aotearoa ecosystem of early summer.   LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVE        

On today's podcast, the fellas dissect a South Auckland Pohutukawa crime, an Aussie says the Canterbury Cat definitely isn't a dog and Jerry's low brow journalism causes friction...

James Cummings has nine runners at Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships, headed by Pohutukawa and Alizee in the Coolmore Legacy, while Colette will start favourite in the Australian Oaks

James Cummings, Flit lines up in the All-Star Mile tomorrow, while Pohutukawa tackles the Coolmore in Sydney

Hi friends, I hope the start to the year has been a gentle one for you. There is lots of shifting and awakening going on in our world right now and many of us are struggling to find our centre in the midst of the chaos. If you're feeling like you need to take a big chill pill then this guided meditation might be just the thing for you. It is recorded in the native forest near my house where the 300-year-old Pohutukawa tree that I call my friend always delivers the peace of heart that I need.I hope it helps you find your centre in this busy world.I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback x

Beneficial PlantsThis is a good weekend to get into the garden and plan ahead for crops and fruit - and pest control. Passive biological control is always a good strategy: Instead of having to spray against the various pests on your plants, why not let the natural predators and parasites do it?The animals you’d want to attract to your place are insectivorous birds, of course, but birds can only do so much. They are often quite omnivorous and will eat a range of insects: pests as well as Beneficial insects!How about getting some specific parasitoids on board; small parasitic wasps that will lay their eggs inside the nuisance caterpillars, in mealybugs, scale in sects and aphids. These parasitoids need to feed as adult insects before they can mate and lay their eggs; Flowers with just the right mix of pollen and nectar will do nicely: it fattens up the parasitoids and keeps them in perfect condition.Here are some of the flowers that will attract them:Phacelia (blue Tansy); it’s great for predatory hover flies that devour aphids. Sow the seeds now, but watch out if this plant is getting a bit weedy in certain environments.Another excellent flower – this one’s to grab the attention of parasitic wasps - is Buckwheat. A nice small plant with white flowers; it fits in empty spaces and under fruit trees, in berry gardens and productive vegetable gardens.Flowering Umbelliferous plants attract a wide range of beneficial insects: leave your parsley go to flower and “seed”, carrot flowers, Queen Anne’s Lace and such nice umbels of flowers, are usually full of parasitoids and predators too.Similarly: try some dill and fennel.The mixed seed packets (Kings Seeds etc) that benefit “pollinators” will also benefit the beneficials.Finally: there are a heap of native flowers that seem to be attractive to the beneficialsHebe is such a flower, but also Manuka and Pohutukawa. Not something you’d sow and utilise within a few weeks or months, but worth thinking about for long-term planting to facilitate free pest control!LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVE            

It's been a year since myrtle rust arrived in New Zealand - what impact is is having, and what we can learn from Australia and Hawaii's experiences with this invasive plant killer.

Myrtle rust is having a profound impact on native plants and ecosystems in Australia - what will its effect be on New Zealand forests?

It's been a year since myrtle rust arrived in New Zealand - what impact is is having, and what we can learn from Australia and Hawaii's experiences with this invasive plant killer.

Myrtle rust is having a profound impact on native plants and ecosystems in Australia - what will its effect be on New Zealand forests?

PROFESSOR TAIARAHIA BLACK - POHUTUKAWA by He Rangahau - Professor Taiarahia Black