Diary Page April 2006

The 06/07 Wellington Entertainment™ Book is out now and this year it is even bigger and better! And the best thing is it’s still only $50 (of which $10 is gifted back to the Sanctuary). In case you are not familiar with them, Entertainment™ Books contain hundreds of 25-50% off and two-for-one offers from popular restaurants, cinemas, hotels, the arts, and sporting events in Wellington. They are made exclusively available to organisations such as ours, who sell them to raise funds.

Rare opportunity to see some of our native freshwater fish

Visitors to the Sanctuary can now get up close to some of New Zealand’s rarely seen native fish at a new interpretation kiosk and aquarium located at the lower lake wetland.

The kiosk explains elements of freshwater restoration and contains a fish tank with aquatic species once widespread in the Wellington region, including inanga, koaro, redfin bullies and torrent fish. Banded kokopu, other species of bullies and koura (freshwater crayfish) will be added to the display shortly.

Installation of the aquarium and interpretation kiosk was made possible with funding from New Zealand Community Trust.

Get Crafty - 11 fun-packed days of art and craft activities for kids: 15 - 25 April 2006

If you’re stuck for ways to keep the kids amused over the Easter school holidays, look no further! The Sanctuary is running an 11-day programme of art and craft workshops, activities and competitions between Easter Saturday (15 April) and Anzac Day (25 April). Leading local artists including children’s author Jill Harris and storyteller Apirana Taylor will be running workshops, and there will be photography and colouring competitions judged by Simon Woolf and Bruce Mahalski.

Most workshops are suitable for kids between 5 and 10 years old. Places are limited, so please book now to avoid disappointment. As well as the workshops, there will be a colouring competition, photography competition and kids can discover the sights and sounds of the bush on our creative nature trail.

There is no extra charge to participate in Get Crafty (except for general admission fees that apply for non-members), although a koha/gold-coin donation per child would be greatly appreciated to help cover the cost of materials. Please note that children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

The Sanctuary would like to thank the Dorothy Newman Charitable Trust for its support in developing this programme.

Run or walk 10.8km, it’s entirely up to you. Starts from Ben Burn Park at Karori, proceeds around the outside of the Sanctuary's perimeter fence and finishes at the Karori Scout Hall, Campbell Street. Walkers start at 8.30am and runners at 9.30am.

Parts of the course are rather steep, so participants should be physically capable of completing the course. For safety reasons bikes, mountain buggies and dogs on a leash will not be permitted during the event.

Proceeds are directed to Karori Wildlife Sanctuary’s Discovery Area. The Gutbuster is an annual fundraising event organised by Combined Rotary Clubs of Wellington, in conjunction with Wellington Harriers.

Registration Fees: Early bird rate (prior to 23 April) - $20 per competitor, $15 per junior competitor or $80 per corporate team (4 members). Additional charge of $5 per competitor after 23 April.

Further Information: Visit the website www.coolrunning.co.nz or pick up a registration form from the Visitor Centre.

Diary Page

April 2006

Buy an Entertainment™ Book and Support the Sanctuary

Rare opportunity to see some of our native freshwater fish

Get Crafty - 11 fun-packed days of art and craft activities for kids: 15 - 25 April 2006

Register now for the Sanctuary Gutbuster Sunday 30 April 2006