Pelorus June 2020 On June 19th 2020 we celebrated the first ever World Albatross day Our fantastic group of kids had fun learning all about the amazing and wonderful albatross. They learnt about how big its wing span can be and what its biggest threat is. They all then had fun making albatross mask's and drawing their own albatross. We put all of their drawings on a big poster to say thank you to HookPod - a company that is dedicated to helping protect the albatross from been caught on long line fishing. It was great fun and well done kids for all your cool pictures and masks. World Albatross Day

Maori Picture Dictionary The Kuwi and Friends Māori Picture Dictionary (He Papakupu Whakaahua) is a fun, easy-to-use resource for those wanting to discover, learn and use everyday words in te reo Māori. The illustrations are designed to help with comprehension, particularly for younger learners. Visual cues can assist with retention of language, to recall spoken and written words. A hard-cover book with 68 fully illustrated pages, in a large format (266 x 320mm), in vibrant full colour, with over 1000 te reo Māori words, translated into English. Embedded with gorgeous Kuwi the kiwi (and friends) illustrations. Designed for everyday use, in the whānau (family), kura (school) and for all New Zealanders. Ages 0-100+. English Text and Illustration by Kat Quin Te Reo Māori Translation by Pānia Papa Nā Kat Quin ngā tuhinga reo Pākehā me ngā whakaahua Nā Pānia Papa ngā whakamāoritanga Price Range $35 a book

Envirohub Marlborough is proud to be a member of Environment Hubs Aotearoa and one of 15 EHA environment centres around NZ. Environment Hubs of Aotearoa Envirohub Marlborough is proud to be a member of Environment Hubs Aotearoa (EHA). We are one of 21 environment centres and hubs around Aotearoa that make up EHA. "We bring together 21 leading regional environmental organisations, from Kaitaia to Riverton. We provide our hubs with opportunities to partner and learn from each other, capacity and capability-building activities, and organisational development. Through a collaborative approach, our mahi empowers community organisations to increase social cohesion, community resilience and environmental stewardship." From the EHA website. Together, we have seen huge collective impact across the entire of Aotearoa. For more information on our fellow members and the work done by EHA check out our collective impact on their website: Or you can view the most recent Impact Report by clicking on the image or click on the button below: EHA member Collective Impact EHA Impact Report 2024 Environment Hubs Aotearoa is a Charitable Incorporated Society whose members are independent local community hubs that provide practical support for people to look after themselves, their neighbours and their environment. All members have strong local connections and individual strengths. In 2015 a national organisation was created that allows us to share our vast experience with each other and better empower more New Zealanders to create a thriving and sustainable Aotearoa. For more info, check out: www.environmenthubs.nz

Get in touch. We would love to hear from you! Contact Get in Touch 14 Auckland Street, Picton | 021 1010818 info@envirohub.co.nz Enter Your Name Enter Your Email Enter Your Subject Here Type Your Message Here Send Thanks for submitting! We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Zero Waste What is Zero Waste? Zero Waste' is exactly as it sounds. The creation of a circular economy where no waste is produced. Our society has become far too comfortable with single-use, throw-away and short-lived goods. Zero waste concepts follow a refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot philosophy, reducing or ultimately eliminating what ends up in landfill and protecting the natural world in which we rely so heavily. This is also known as a 'circular economy'. For the Envirohub Marlborough Team, Zero Waste is a goal. Realistically, to achieve zero waste we need to instil a collective change in mindset and behaviour at a grassroots level. Thus, Envirohub and other environmental organisations, use the term 'Zero Waste' to define any substantial effort working toward achieving this ultimate goal. Image thanks to the Ministry for Environment The Zero Waste International Alliance definition of zero waste is: “Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.” Image thanks to the Zero Waste Network Our Zero Waste Efforts Zero Waste Events With the assistance of our new Zero Waste Dishwashing Trailer we aim to normalise reuse concepts and provide reusable cutlery and crockery at events. We also assist in other practices to make your next event more Zero Waste. Tell me more! Collection station We run a collection station at the Picton Environment Centre for all those difficult to recycle items. Collect and drop off yours today! Tell me more! EDUCATION Raising awareness and education is huge in sharing zero waste practices and how we can all make the changes collectively to make a big difference! Keep an eye out for workshops, events and more as we collaborate and share knowledge with our community - you! Upcoming events CAMPAIGNS We run various campaigns throughout the year working with local businesses and the community to help drive change and a more circular economy. Check our our latest campaigns or reach out if you would love to work with us! Upcoming events

Kerikeri Organic Tea New Zealands largest certified organic and fair trade tea company. Bringing you the freshest teas and spices direct from the plantation, hand blended to order by us and delivered direct to you. We source our tea directly from premium organic tea estates around the world and have it shipped straight to Kerikeri for custom blending. We also source our tea seasonally just after each estate picking, so that our stock rotates faster and our tea remains fresh throughout the year. Because we import directly from tea estates, and not through tea brokers in Europe, we believe we offer the freshest tea in New Zealand. - We do not use plastic - Our tea bags are made from paper - Our tins are reusable and recyclable - Our bags are reusable and recyclable - We operate a zero waste policy Price Range Refill prices below Loose leaf tea (except herbals) Caddie (regular) $12.00 each 250g refills $21.00 each 500g refills $33.00 each 1kg refills $60.00 each Herbal loose leaf tea 125g refills $21.00 each 250g refills $33.00 each 500g refills $60.00 each All tea bag varieties Caddie (20 bags) $10.00 each Caddie (100 bags) $21.00 each Refills 50 bags $9.00 each Refills 100 bags $17.00 each

Learn about our beautiful taonga species, the Tūpoupou Hector's Dolphins and check out our games, activities, arts and crafts and how you can better protect them! Moko kākāriki ~ Marlborough Green Gecko (Naultinus manukanus) Here in Aotearoa we have over 44 species of geckos! Some of which you can only find right here in Marlborough - including the very special Marlborough Green, or 'Manuka', Gecko. Gecko Facts! General There are a few ways you can spot the difference between a gecko and a skink. Geckos have broad heads with rounded snouts and large bulging eyes. They also have soft velvety-looking skin that sits almost loose on its body, whereas a skink's skin is tight and shiny. The Marlborough Green gecko is mostly an emerald, green colour, with a gold start like markings on them. Sometimes they can even be yellow in colour as well. Image Credit - Koru Native Wildlife Center ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, GAMES AND QUIZZES Throughout this page you'll find some fun activities and resources you can explore at home with your whānau and friends. Some of these resources have been put together with the help of our fantastic local organisations. A huge thank you to those people who have helped put these together for us, we appreciate your support! Don't forget to share your activities with us, either tag us on social media or email them to us at conservationkids@envirohub.co.nz Image Credit - Ben Barr Māori first described the vocalizations of green geckos to Europeans as being like that of the kaka - laughter, being a repetitive call somewhere between a bark and a squeak. Māori call lizards (skinks and geckos) mokomoko. Geckos and skins were often believed to be evil and brought the feeling of miss fortune or death with them. Gecko Facts! Te Ao Maori Art - Gecko Colouring In Gecko Coloring In Download this fantastic gecko scene drawing by talented artist Larissa Larimar. Have fun colouring it in and don't forget to share it with us. We would love to see your creation! Click the image to download a PDF Sheet Marlborough green gecko is a tree-dwelling lizard, this is one of the reasons it is also called the Manuka Gecko. They like to live in low lying shrubs and small trees, with a particular fondness for Manuka and Kanuka trees. Geckos have 'sticky' feet! They have toe pads that are covered in thousands of microscopic hairs called setae. These hairs create an electromagnetic attraction known as van der Waals forces. This is what allows them to climb up walls, trees, rock... even upside down on the ceiling if they wanted to! Image Credit - Unknown Gecko Facts! Habitat CRAFT - Make a Pet Gecko Make your own pet gecko! Have a go at making your own pet gecko! You can decorate your pet gecko any way you like. You might like to create your own design or research what geckos are found in your area and decorate your pet gecko to look like them. You can find out more about the different types of geckos in NZ on the Department of Conservation website: Types of geckos: Lizards (doc.govt.nz) Click the image to download the PDF sheet! Gecko Facts! Ecology & Diet Like most of New Zealand Geckos, the Marlborough Green Geckos are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet mainly consists of insects such as moths, flies, small crickets, and larvae, however, they also eat some berries and take the nectar from certain flowers too. Image -Credit - Nick Harker Gecko GAMES Grab some of your friends or whānau and have a go at these fun Gecko games and activities. Predator Game This game helps to demonstrate the effects different predators have on our gecko population. You can also add in some cool gecko 'helping hands' to see how this can also affect our gecko population. Click on the image to download the instructions. If you give this game a go with your class or some friends take a pic or video a nd share it with us! Marlborough Green Geckos are very slow breeders, normally only breeding once a year. One of the things that makes our geckos so unique is that they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. This is called being 'ovoviviparous' - the eggs hatch inside the gecko mum's body! Most of our NZ geckos only give birth to one offspring at a time, and only occasionally have twins. Image Credit - Jole Knight Gecko Facts! Breeding ACTIVITY - Test Your Knowledge Gecko Names Word Find Have fun testing your knowledge and see if you can find all the different Marlborough Geckos common names. If you want a real challenge see if you can find all of their scientific names awell! Click the image to download the quiz! Click the Gecko to download the answers. Gecko Facts! Did you know that geckos can't blink? They have transparent (see-through) eyelids that are are fused together. They have to lick their eyes with their spoon-like tongue to keep them from drying out. Can you reach your eyes with your tongue? Crazy Facts! Image Credit - Orana Wildlife Park Other Gecko Resources Below you will find links to other Gecko resources. These books can be found at most book shops and library's around NZ. You can also order them online. Gecko by Raymond Huber and Brian Lovelock GO Green Gecko by Gay Hay and Margaret Tolland Reptiles and Amphibians of NZ by Dyland van Winkel DOC - Toyota Kiwi Guardian Activity Become a Habitat Creator and make a Lizard Lounge for your backyard! Although the Toyota Kiwi Guardian programme has now finished and you can no longer claim the medals. The activi ties are still a fantastic way for your tamariki to help support our conservation efforts and our native species. Below is a link to the "Lizard Lounge " activity instructions! Make a Lizard lounge to help attracted Lizards and Geckos to your back yard. Click the image to download a PDF Instruction sheet to learn how to become a Habitat Creator! Some of the top threats to our NZ geckos are introduced predators, including mice, rats, hedgehogs, weasels, stoats, ferrets, cats, possums, and pigs. These predators are often active at night and hunt on the ground. Loss of habitat is also a large threat to the geckos. Clearing of grounds for human planting or building can cause geckos to lose their homes. But don't worry there is things you can do to help protect these amazing Geckos, keep reading below to find ways you can help out. Threats Gecko Facts! Image Credit - CKNZ Event, Marcus O'Donnell Gecko Facts! What YOU can do! So how can you help to protect our fantastic Geckos? There are lots of things you can do at home to help. Here are some things you can do: If you own a cat, keep it well feed and inside the house at night time. Put a bell on its collar to help alert our geckos to the cats presence. Help do predator tracking to find out if you have geckos in your back yard. More importantly do you have pests in your yard that might be harming them? Create areas in your garden for shelter for geckos, things like piles of bricks and sticks and branches. Old tin from sheds and lots of leaves and bushes. In the summer leave some small containers of water out for them around the fence line. Image Credit - CKNZ Event, Antonia O'Donnell Visit a Marlborough Green Gecko If you live in the Marlborough region, you can see some Geckos at these places below. Click the logo to be taken to their websites. Gecko Gallery Images fro m some of our Gecko events 2021 Gecko Day 2020 Koru Wildlife Visit

Acerca de Donate RESOURCES Do you have spare soil, building materials, plants, stationery or pretty much anything useful that you could donate to the hub? We'd love to offload your unwanted items if we can use them. FUNDS Like any charitable organisation we are always grateful for monetary donations. Your kindness and support helps us fund our numerous environmental projects. If you would like to donate please use the following bank account or click on the link/s above to make a donation. Receipts are available upon request or via the link above, will be provided directly. Envirohub Marlborough 02-0740-0022256-00 Please contact us at info@envirohub.co.nz and let's chat!

Our Events Come and join Envirohub Marlborough and environmental organisations around Marlborough at our next event! We work with and run Zero Waste events, Conservation Kids NZ family events, beach and town clean-ups, fundraisers, workshops, and more! Sign up to our mailing list or our social media pages to stay in the loop for our next event. Want to work with us, or interested in running an event with us? Drop us a line : info@envirohub.co.nz ! No events at the moment

Meet the passionate, dedicated people that make up our team. Envirohub Marlborough Structure "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has!" Margaret Mead Our Envirohub Marlborough Whanau Nina Kay General Manager Growing up in South Africa and enjoying countless family adventures in the African bush, Nina developed a deep passion for conservation and sustainability. She brought her expertise in environmental science and regional spatial planning to Aotearoa 8 years ago, with a strong belief that real change begins in our own communities. Within Envirohub Marlborough, Nina loves working across projects and building on collaborations that drive positive environmental outcomes. /In her down time, you'll find her exploring the great outdoors and embarking on new adventures with her family. Sara Kidston Zero Waste Coordinator & Litter Intelligence Born in Scotland and raised in New Zealand, Sara is passionate about preserving our wonderfully diverse environment, and is honoured to be stepping into the role of Zero Waste Coordinator for Envirohub Marlborough! Sara has personal interests in natural living, permaculture, and physical movement, and comes from a diverse background firmly rooted in the performing arts sector. Tash Luxton Funding Manager CKNZ Coordinator Our Networks & Collaborations

Learn about our beautiful taonga species, the Tūpoupou Hector's Dolphins and check out our games, activities, arts and crafts and how you can better protect them! Waiharakeke ~ Grass Skink Oligosoma aff. polychroma Clade 3 This skink was formally kn own as the "Common S kink" - because it was just that, common! The common skink has now been separated into 5 different species, one of which is our local Waiharakeke (Marlborough) Grass Skink. Image credit: South Marlborough grass skink (Kaikōura). © Samuel Purdie These little skinks are found not only in South Marlborough but also in small areas of the wider Marlborough Region. They grow up to 80mm long and their tail is longer than their body! Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! General Image Credit - Tony Jewell ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, GAMES AND QUIZZES Throughout this page you'll find some fun activities and resources you can explore at home with your whānau and friends. Some of these resources have been put together with the help of our fantastic local organisations. A huge thank you to those people who have helped put these together for us, we appreciate your support! Don't forget to share your activities with us, either tag us on social media or email them to us at conservationkids@envirohub.co.nz Image Credit - Alexander Turnbull Library, Albert Percy Godber Collection (PA-Group-00048) Reference: PAColl-3039-1-012 Ngārara was the Māori kupu | word for all reptiles, Māori called both lizards and skinks Mokomoko. All Ngārara were seen as descendants of Punga - the son of Tangaroa, the sea guardian. All of the decendants of Punga were seen as ugly and repulsive. Lizards and geckos were often feared, linking them with Whiro, the atua of darkness, evil and death. Even though Māori feared them, they also thought of them as guardians, they were put near burial caves to watch over those who had passed away. Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! Te Ao Maori - Art - Colour a Skink Colour your Skink Waiharakeke Grass Skinks have some pretty neat colors and patterns on them. Have a go at colou ring in our own skink, see if you can create those vibrant colors and markings. Don't forget to share your finished creation with us, email us an image - conservationkids@envirohub.co.nz Click the image to download a PDF template. Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! Ecology & Diet Waiharakeke Grass skinks are heliothermic, which means they like to lay in the sun to gain their heat. They eat a wide diet of not only berries and fruits, but they also hunt prey like spiders and other small insects. Image Credit - Tom Heather CRAFT - Skink Puppet Make a Skink Puppet Have fun making your very own skink finger p uppet! Get creative with the colours and decide what kind of habitat / environment your skink lives in! Click the image to download the PDF sheet! Image Credit - Tim Harker Just like other grass skinks, the Waiharakeke Grass skink likes to live in open areas including coastal vegetation, rock piles, grassland, flaxland, shrubland, screes, forest margins, tussock and modified urban / suburban habitats. Often, they can be found hiding under rocks and logs. They can be found in the eastern parts of the Marlborough Sounds, in Kaikoura and in the Wairau Valley. Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! Habitat Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! Breeding The Waiharakeke grass skink matures at around two years old, it is then that the female goes on to breed. Female skinks can give birth to up to six babies at one time! Wow that is a lot, this normally happens in the warmer months in January and February. Image Credit - Tom Heather ACTIVITY - Who's, Who? Skink or Gecko Test your knowledge and see if you can work out what is a skink and what is a gecko? Use your research skills and see what you can find out about each of them. Click the image to download the quiz! Click the skink to download the answers. Did you know that skinks - including the Waiharakeke Grass skink - can amputate their own tails! They do this to help them escape predators, the predators can be distracted by the wiggling tail while the skink gets to safety. But don't worry they do grow back, just not as long as the orginal tail. Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! Crazy Facts! Other Waiharakeke Grass Skink Resources Below you will find links to other Skink resources, click the images to take you to the websites. Check them out! Department of Conservation Information on skinks online Reptiles and Amphibians of NZ by Dyland van Winkel Science Learning Hub | Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao Check out this cool video of a skink giving birth to its live young. DOC - Toyota Kiwi Guardian Activity Help attract Geckos and Skinks to your garden ! Although the Toyota Kiwi Guardian programme has now f inished and you can no longer claim the medals. The act ivities are still a fantastic way for your tamariki to help support our conservation efforts and to learn abou t native species. Below is a link to the "Lizard Lounge" activity! Help create a home at your place for our local lizards to hang out! Click the image to download a PDF Instruction sheet to learn how to attract Lizards to your garden! Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! Threats So, what are the biggest threats to our native skinks? Habitat disruption has had a big impact on them, but what do we mean by 'disruption'? Anything that effects their normal habitat, this could be things like the introduction of non-native species, like cats and dogs. It could also mean people planting nonnative plants or grasses into their environment. And of course, the damage to their habitat from people either exploring or altering where they live. So, what can we do to help? Follow below to find out!! Image Credit - Make Lemonade Webiste Image Credit - Tony Jewell How can you help our Native Skinks and Geckos? There are lots of ways you can help our native skinks to survive! - Avoid catching them, it's ok to look but please don't touch them, and if you do lift a rock to spot one. DO NOT DROP THE ROCK BACK DOWN as this might squash the little skink, just place it down gently. - Keep your cats inside at nighttime and put a bell on their collars to warn the skink of their presence. - Plant native trees or shrubs around your land that they like to live in, and avoid planting non-natives if possible. Waiharakeke Grass Skink Facts! What YOU can do! If you see a skink on eggs or eggs like this ---> Please get rid of these eggs, these are plague skink eggs. Our NZ native skinks give birth to live young, they do NOT lay eggs. Plague skinks are a threat to our native skinks because they take over their habitat and push them out. Leaving our native skinks with nowhere to live. One important thing you can do is always check your belongings for skink eggs. If you are moving house from an area you know has the plague skinks, check your belongings especially your outdoor gear for skink eggs, make sure you don't move them with you into a new area. Image Credit - Forest and Bird Visit a Waiharakeke Grass Skink Why not check out some areas near you to see if you can spot some skinks? Can you find some native ones? Or do you have plague skinks where you live? Head on over to the DOC website to read about the different skinks and see where they like to live. You can get an idea of where they might live in your area, then head out for a look. If you live in Marlborough/Blenheim, you can find Waiharakeke grass skinks at these places; - Marfells Beach - Rarangi Beach - Wither Hills Just remember if you're heading out on a skink hunt, make sure you don't disturb their habitat. If you lift a rock up to look under it, DO NOT DROP THE ROCK BACK DOWN, make sure you place it back down softly so as not to hurt the skinks, geckos or other species you might find. Waiharakeke Grass Skink Gallery Images from our most recent Skink event 2023 Waiharakeke Grass Skink Day

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