Over the Hedge and Through the Bush, "Hey Give Me a Push!"

Throughout New Zealand in the winter, it is acutely noticeable which plants are native and which are exotic. Non-native plants, those not adapted to the climate, tend to shed their leaves during the colder and darker winter months. In turn, their barren grey branches await sunnier October days to take full advantage of their photosynthetic potential. Endemic plants, however, are better acclimated to Aotearoa. In the states, we would colloquially call these plants "ever-green". Most land owners plant hedgerows lined with exotics to surround their property and protect it from wind (especially if farming), but some land owners break the mold and choose to plant natives instead.

These "ever-green" native plants are exactly the kinds of plants Pauline and Malcolm choose to circle their 15 acre property. A decade or so ago, Dr. Hostetler worked up the gumption to visit this retired couple after driving by their property many times. Ever since, every UF in NZ class has visited them and been a hit! Today we saw the usual suspects when it comes to native flora: Harekeke, kahikatea, totara, kowhai, five finger, juvenile lancewoods, manuka, cabbage palm, tarata, and a whole slew of pittosporums. Spread out amongst these natives, a few exotics stood: Gum trees, oaks, pines, rhodendrons, and azaleas. Pauline and Malcolm are admirers of birds, and their property was very conducive to bird spotting. Their property is one of the few unique ones in the Selwyn area to feature natives over exotics.

Malcolm greets the group and introduces his property.

Malcolm and Pauline's beautiful home.

Spot of tea in hand, Pauline regaled us with tales of the couple moving to the area, the evolution of their piece of land, the first exotics they planted, the earthquakes, and the rabbit problem. Malcolm is more keen to removing rabbits with a .22LR rifle, but the couple agreed to lay out poison from now on. Malcolm manages 20 head of cattle on his property, but used to raise sheep in the paddocks. A pair of "chooks" - chickens - , also roam their section of the yard, but prefer the warm and dry coop far away from the prying eye of harriers and falcons. Other birds that call the residence home are California Quail and pheasants. 

Native hedgerow in the background with exotics in the foreground.

Chook house in the foreground with more native hedgerows in the back.

"I saw a bunny outside the window looking right at me!"

After heartfelt goodbyes and a quick group photo, the class filed into the Gator Waka to head towards Christchurch and the Art Gallery. Te Puna o Waiwhetu hosted many collections of art from both European and Maori sources. The most compelling piece was "chicken/man", which has been described by the artist, Ron Mueck, as "just the right blend of the mundane and the surreal." A seated man in only his undergarments stares balefully at a chicken standing atop a kitchen table. The chook returns the gaze and now both are locked in a humorous staring contest. The humor is undercut by an air of uncertainty.

If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you.

Humorous? Absurd? Surreal? Serious? What do you think?

As 19th century philosopher Georg Hegel once formulated, "Art is the sensuous presentation of ideas." What ideas does such a piece present for us to perceive? Is it commentary on humanity's exploitation of animals and their by-products? A more general criticism of man's alienation from nature and how at odds we are with the surrounding environment? The absurdity of life that undercuts existence as a whole? Is it merely art for art's sake? What do you see? Leave a comment below.

After an hour of exploring the museum it was time for lunch and then a quick walk up to the Arts Centre. The Arts Centre was home to many boutique stores selling jewellery, stationary, fudge, and much more. Some bought goods for personal use, others bought gifts and mementos for home. The final stop in Christchurch for the day was the Margaret Mahy Playground. With enough room for all of us and the local children, we burned off our excess energy on the slides, swings, and jungle-gyms. We also experienced a flying-fox! We missed out on the opportunity at New Brighton Beach and were glad to have pushed our classmates off to zip around.

There go Tati and Grace! Never to be seen again (not really).

Exhausted, we made a quick tea-time stop and Coffee Culture and were briefed on our last overnight trip, Waipara and Kaikoura. Hard to think we only have a week left in New Zealand! - Bauer

Birds, Beaches, and Bright Skies

       Our first day back in Lincoln was a well welcomed sunny one. Compared to the grey and wet west coast, we were all pretty happy to be back on campus and shed off a few layers. The first stop of the day was to meet Dr. Colin Meurk and his PhD student at Travis Wetland. This area used to be dairy land and in the 1990s there was talk of filling in the wetlands for housing. Thankfully, in 1997 the City Council acquired the land and set up the nature heritage park we now know as Travis Wetland. Hundreds of birds call this place home and we were fortunate guests. We all walked the 2.5-mile perimeter of the wetlands, noting the various plant species and birds that we encountered on our journey. 

                      Dr. Meurk educating us on the background and importance of Travis Wetlands.

                                 Some black swans and multiple ducks that call Travis Wetlands home.

       Today, we were conducting bird surveys to get a better idea of the avian species that inhabit this other-worldly dwelling. Everyone paired up and conducted either a point count, standing in one area and identifying and counting every bird you see in a 10-minute time frame, or a count on a transect, looking in one direction for 20 meters and then in the other for the same amount of time while identifying and counting all birds within the area. It is very important that birds flying over or through your area were ignored for the survey. 

                                                                                 Conducting a bird count.

                                  Just one of the data sheets completed on the transect for the bird count.

       Our next stop was at New Brighton Beach. Dr. Meurk pointed out the exotic grasses, that were originally introduced by Europeans, and how they were still dominating these coastal areas. After dipping our toes in the icy Pacific water, we ran across the street to the playground and instantly became kids again. This particular playground was home to the infamous Flying Fox, a zipline type of ride. Sadly, it was not functioning today but we all still made use of the giant climbing tree, see-saw, slides, and swings. 

                                                             All of us at New Brighton Beach. 

                                                       Giant climbing tree at the playground.

       Next, Dr. Meurk took us to the Red Zone, an area highly affected by the liquefaction caused by the 2010-2011 earthquakes. The entire area used to be suburbia, but after the houses were deemed un-liveable the government had to set up a department responsible for managing the evacuation of the area, removal of houses, and turning it into a parkland environment. Dr. Meurk also explained to us how the land is managed currently is not ideal. Extensive mowing and spraying of plants are actually discouraging the growth of native seedlings and encouraging the growth of various weeds. 

              The Red Zone, previously all suburbia, is now a parkland environment.

           Dr. Meurk pointing out that extensive mowing and sprawing 

         has caused a severe decrease in growth of native coprosma.

  

       Our very last stop of the day was at the Avon Heathcote Estuary. This area is also a huge habitat for waterfowl and migratory species. The estuary actually opened up the area and allowed high tide to come in and be a more suitable habitat for these birds. 

       The class at Avon Heathcote Estuary.

       The water was alive with birds and seemed so picturesque with the setting sun casting its golden hue on the landscape. We all finally piled back into the Gator Waka satisfied with our experiences of the day and eager for what tomorrow will bring.

- Tatiana