Kaitlyn explores her ngahere in Puhoi | Matariki @aucklandzoo
Kaitlyn explores her ngahere in Puhoi | Matariki  @aucklandzoo
Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
Where do you find a place of serenity, peace and connection?

Kaitlyn and her whānau care for 16 hectares of beautiful regenerated ngahere (forest) in Puhoi – and it’s here that they have buried their children’s whenua and planted a native tree.

“The whenua for our babies was the placenta and the after birth, which we put back into the land, because that is where we come from. That's where whenua has the dual name of the placenta and the land.”

Using kawakawa sourced from her forest, Kaitlyn learned the rongoā on how to make a balm to treat her daughter’s mosquito bites, including the karakia that is said before harvesting.

Kaitlyn also reflects on her studies with kākāpō and snipe, and shares a pūrākau about how her iwi would sustainably harvest tītī from the Tītī Islands – thanks to a legendary and larger-than-life bird called the hakawai!
Kaitlyn explores her ngahere in Puhoi | MatarikiPJ connects with nature through weaving harakeke (flax)Need to check the underside of a nyala?Strolling into the weekend like...Richard reflects on Auckland Zoos conservation mahi (work)Tiger cub Cahya receives a health check!Keeper Sam shows how we care for some precious primates!My, how they grow up fast!An enriching feed for this spider monkey troop!Monitoring the endangered TakahēConserving Whio (blue duck) for generations to come!Sumatran tiger Ramah enjoys a training session
Auckland Zoo |

Kaitlyn explores her ngahere in Puhoi | Matariki

SHARE TO X SHARE TO REDDIT SHARE TO FACEBOOK WALLPAPER