A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
If you want your kids to learn to love the New Zealand backcountry, you can either take them into the great outdoors, or bring the great outdoors to them.
Zak Shaw, from Hokitika, has built a 2.5m x 2.5m hut, based on a traditional New Zealand Forest Service design. As with those in the mountains surrounding his home, it’s a humble structure with four bunks, but his kids – who are four and six – love it.
“I’ve got a strong affinity to the Westland mountains and adventuring in the hills here, so I wanted to recreate one of those on our land and have a place for the kids to connect to a bit of hut life and nature,” he told RNZ’s Morning Report.
He’s based the design on a B55 model (though he’s made the walls a little higher so everyone can stand up in it), and plans to paint it orange like the backcountry bivvies in the hills. Hear his interview with RNZ here.
Three arrested after barefoot man scales UK’s tallest building
Paul Curphey and his partner Treasaidh were relaxing in their hotel room on the 40th floor of The Shard, in central London, when suddenly they saw a man waving at them from outside the window.
This was 21-year-old climber Adam Lockwood, who was on his way to the top of the UK’s highest building.
Lockwood is already known for such stunts, but this one led to emergency services being called out and cordoning off areas around the building. Three men were arrested after the event – two on suspicion of causing a public nuisance. Read more here.
The Long Journey for disabled cockatiel
Ollie the cockatiel had a rough start to life. He’d been attacked by other birds in the aviary and needed emergency care at Bird Rescue Cambridge.
Yet despite injuries that’ll affect him for the rest of his life, Ollie is tackling Te Araroa Trail with Robyn Campbell and Andy Williams, who run the rescue service.
Ollie hops on his good leg and flies short distances as they go (though he’ll often hitch a ride on a shoulder if he feels like it!). He helps to brighten up the trail too, often wearing colourful vests.
“He is a little, crippled bird with a big heart, who brings joy to people all over New Zealand and overseas,” explains Robyn. “That is his purpose. Arguably, it is the whole point of the trail itself, with Te Araroa connecting people and communities from one end of New Zealand to the other.” Find out more about this amazing bird at Stuff.
Conservationists to release rare parrot
If you’re tramping in the Hawdon Valley area of Arthur’s Pass this summer, keep an eye out for a rare parrot (that isn’t a kea!).
More than 100 orange-fronted kākāriki are set to be released into the valley. This in itself is something of a miracle, as these little green birds are so rare the species has twice been declared extinct.
Only 200 were counted in 2016 deep in the Nelson and Canterbury forests, but numbers have doubled since then, and the Isaac Conservation Trust, who plan to release these birds, hope this will give their numbers another boost. Read more at 1News.
Te Anau gets trail extension
Good news for walkers and cyclists in Southland. A 14.5km multi-use trail extension has been given the go near Te Anau.
Starting at Upukerora River trail bridge just east of town, it’ll head north to Boundary Creek, just south of where Fiordland National Park begins.
Fiordland Trails Trust chair John Greaney said: “We’re really excited about this trail extension. It will provide a great out and back trail from the Te Anau Boat Harbour to Boundary Creek, as well as provide a convenient multi-use trail for Sinclair Road and Patience Bay residents into town.”
It’s hoped this section will be completed in early 2023 and that one day there’ll be a multi-use trail all the way to Te Anau Downs. Read more here.
