Hi, my name is Scott and I’m a teacher here at LI. I’m from Canada and I love to spend time outdoors. I guess that’s why I love living here in New Zealand; there are so many opportunities to take advantage of what New Zealand’s most famous for.
Although Auckland is a pretty big place, there are still heaps of opportunities to enjoy nature just outside the city limits. The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is a short 45-minute drive and includes lots of hiking trails in the west coast rain forest and awesome walks along the beaches.
If you’re into rare wildlife and conservation issues, you can check out Tiritiri Matangi island. It’s an open reserve inside the Hauraki gulf which is full of very rare bird species all but extinct on the New Zealand mainland. The views are amazing and the birds are everywhere! It’s like a zoo without cages! Pretty cool!
 Article and photos by Scott Fowler. Scott’s a teacher at Languages International. Originally from Canada, Scott has also taught in Japan and Australia and has over ten years teaching experience. |
Beautiful kokako(the blue bird in the first picture) photo, Scott. Did you take it yourself? This bird is very rare and it is on the NZ $50 note. It has a beautiful song. Nice photo of Awhitu, too.
I'll see you climbing up a waterfall in the Waitakeres mate. The water's almost warm enough for a swim too.
Simon Todd
You've got me enthusiastic about visiting Tiritiri Matangi again, Scott. Must try that overnight stay in the hut.
My favourite west coast beach is Bethell's Beach (or Te Henga). Gorgeous place!
Beautiful photos, Scott. I've never been to Tiritiri Matangi. I'm putting it on my must-visit list now.
Annie, one of our former students, Dmitry Konovalov, took these great photos at Te Henga http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilacnz/sets/72157623687570084/
Thanks guys – yeah seeing a kokako in the wild is pretty cool. hearing one is even better! It's like listening to angels….if angels were birds and sounded like cats. cats in space…
Tom! I took that Awhitu beach photo with you! – Good spotting!
Simon – looking forward to that canyoning trip this summer. It'll be swimtastic!
I like your description, Scott 🙂 I have a kokako-song alarm on my phone to wake me up each morning. For anyone wondering what angels that are birds and sound like cats in space sound like, here's a free app for your Android device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=wbg.nzbirds&hl=en
It has photos and birdsong of native New Zealand birds. You can download the birdsong as ringtones.
The pictures look great, thanks for your advices Scott. I definitely have to go and visit Tiritiri Matangi.
Hey – its Conservation Week (until the 16th of September). There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer around Auckland. check out these websites:
Auckland Zoo – http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
Sustainable Coastlines – http://www.sustainablecoastlines.co.nz
DOC – http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation-week-home/whats-happening
or try:
http://www.conservationvolunteers.co.nz