Relocated kiwi in Pukenui Western Hills
A kiwi sitting on an egg in the Pukenui Western Hills has undergone intervention after a previous egg he sat on until full term failed to hatch. That egg had never been viable. No-one is criticising the parenting skills of first time dad Waimarie, but Pukenui Western Hills Forest Trust rangers have taken the second egg to be incubated at the Whangārei Bird Recovery Centre at Kiwi North.
The decision came after concerns about the length of time Waimarie had been sitting on eggs. Male kiwi do the majority of egg minding. Chuckles, another male among 12 birds released in the hills on Whangārei's edge in March, successfully saw his first offspring hatch in late October.
Marlin Hotel goes smokefree
A well-known Whangaroa Harbour pub may be the first in Northland to go completely smokefree although smoked marlin is still allowed on the menu. The new owners of the Marlin Hotel closed it for renovations when they bought it in August and have reopened as a family friendly hotel and restaurant. Smoking doesn't fit with the new look and feel, chef and manager Paul Condron said. As well as tobacco, the bar leaners and pool table have also gone in the switch to a less pub-like atmosphere. The Marlin Hotel joins 34 other premises offering smokefree outdoor dining in Northland.
