The popo watchers!

As most of my North American readers know, the police in the USA do not have a very good reputation: But here in New Zealand 77% of people trust the police! As an American I am still uncomfortable with the police just because of my own personal experience. But the people here seem to think they are alright and the fact that they have an independent police conduct authority may be the reason those with power don't abuse it as much. That and the people as a whole are known to be a bit on the nicer side than us Americans and so far I can atest to that. Here is a link if you want more info: http://www.ipca.govt.nz/

We Went hiking in Rewanui

It was actually pretty hot that day when we went for this hike and I think I got a little bit of heat exastion. But then as we got higher the winds really kicked and saved the day. Most of the hike we did was upwards and in pretty high grasses. High grass isn't a problem here though because there are ZERO ticks and smakes! I actully rolled around in the grass for a bit just cause I could without fear. Go here if you want more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rewanui_Branch

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//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rewanui_Branch

Tararua_Range

We went to the Tararuas last Sunday and I thknk it was the most beautiful hike we have been on yet. This place is only 10 miles from my house! The hike took us about 3 hours and we plan on doing a backpacking trip when we have the time. If you want to know more about this place just follow the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tararua_Range

A WARNING TO NON DRIVERS WHO MOVE TO NEW ZEALAND

I went to apply to get my IRD number today at the post shop and was told that my Pennsylvania State ID was not sufficient enough to obtain one. I had my passport as well but I needed two forms of excepted identification. Even though my ID worked for all the same ID purposes in the states, they need an actual driver's license whether it be from New Zealand or America. Guess I should not have slacked off on learning to drive huh? Its okay though because I can apply for a +18 card and then get my IRD number. Since I have a work visa I can still get a job while I take care of these things. I was told by the lady behind the counter that when she moved here all she had to do was make a phone call to get her's. Same story with my husband. Guess they changed the system. Its okay New Zealand I still love you!

Weeds and Pests 2

Possums are another introduced pest:

"Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were first brought from Australia in 1837, to Riverton in Southland, to form the basis of a fur industry.

They eat and damage the forest at every point, taking mainly leaves, but also buds, flowers, fruit and seeds from the tallest tree tops. On the ground they eat seedlings, saplings and sometimes bark. Possums also eat parts of perching plants, scramblers, climbers, some tree ferns and fungi. Favoured foods include mistletoes, tree fuchsias, kāmahi and rātā trees, which is why these are among the first species to be eaten out of the forest.

By feeding selectively, possums have radically altered the makeup of forests. In the 1960s, possums opened up large tracts of forest in the Ruahine Range to invading scrub. They have eaten nearly all of the rātā trees from the Aorangi Range, and have almost wiped out mistletoes in the North Island.

Traps, poisons and guns can control possum numbers. However, these are expensive methods, and only practical in easily accessible bush or in bush that is valuable to conservation or farming. This leaves possums uncontrolled over large areas of hinterland. Scientists are searching for new methods of control – the most promising are ways of making possums less fertile."

My husband told me that people have been encouraged to run them over with their cars if seen in the street. He worked for a wild life reserve he for a while so I think I can take his word on that. I have yet to see a possum here but I'm new.

Check out this page if you want to learn more about possums in New Zealand:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/introduced-animal-pests/1

Weeds and Pests

So cute little bunnies are considered pests here in New Zealand:
1 "Rabbits were brought to New Zealand and released for both food and sport at various sites as early as the 1830s.
The first rabbit plague began in the early 1870s and petered out about 1895. Another increase occurred in the early 1920s. There was a major irruption in the 1940s, and the most recent began in the late 1980s.
Rabbits have cost New Zealand many millions of dollars, through the direct cost of controlling them, and the loss of production from farms. Their impact on the drier areas of the South Island has been little short of an ecological disaster, as the vegetation grazed off by rabbits has never recovered .... The loss of soil has left areas where only the hardiest colonising plants will now grow. Burrowing by rabbits in some soil types and on steep slopes has also led to soil erosion." You can follow this link if you would like to learn was has been done and what is being done now in relation to the rabbits:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/rabbits/1

And if you want to check out the Rabbit Council of New Zealand:

http://www.rabbits-nz.co.nz/about_us/index.asp