The Star: December 20, 2018

30 Thursday December 20 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
The Star
your
Summer Holiday Attraction guide
Gorillas and orangutans
at Orana Wildlife Park
Set in 80 hectares, within 15
minutes’ drive of Christchurch
airport, Orana Wildlife Park
is New Zealand’s only open
range zoo. Over 400 animals,
representing more than
70 different species, are
displayed at the Park.
Regular animal feed presentations occur
daily and are accompanied by a presentation
from a wildlife guide. The Park specialises
in providing amazing wildlife experiences
– hand feed majestic giraffe, plus see our
new male giraffe Mabuti, meet mighty
rhino up close, observe iconic kiwi and
stroll through two walk-through aviaries
to meet stunning native birds including tui,
bellbird, blue duck (whio), kakariki and
mischievous kea.
Park visitors can enjoy the antics of lions,
tigers, cheetah, painted dogs, Tasmanian
devils, addax, monkeys, meerkats and
much more! The Park has an extensive
native fauna section including a range of
native geckos plus the pre-historic tuatara.
Orana has a fantastic collection of friendly
domestic animals in the Farmyard.
Visitors can ride around the zoo on our
complimentary Safari Shuttle, join a guided
walkabout tour and/or meander around the
Park at their leisure – be sure to follow the
animal feed presentations to maximise your
experience. The Park contains a children’s
adventure playground and two large picnic
areas. A café and wildlife themed gift shop
are located on-site.
Orana Wildlife Park is operated as
a registered charity and not-for-profit
organisation. The zoo relies upon gate
takings to operate and raises 100% of funds
for all capital projects and developments,
from sources such as philanthropic
trusts, private donors and bequests.
Orana is internationally renowned for
its involvement in zoo-based breeding
programmes for endangered exotic and
native species. The Park contributes to
breed for release recovery programmes
for threatened native wildlife – to date,
over 80 brown teal (pateke), 60 blue duck
(whio) and 25 kiwi from Orana have been
released to the wild plus for the first time
Orana has bred orange-fronted parakeet (a
Nationally Critical species numbering less
than 100) for release to the wild too! When
you visit, you are directly supporting our
conservation work.
Experience the ultimate animal adventure
at Orana Wildlife Park - it’s a full day of fun
for everyone!
793 McLeans Island Road,
Christchurch (15 minutes’ drive from
the airport). Phone 03 359 7109 / info@
oranawildlifepark.co.nz / facebook.com/
oranawildlifepark
See New Zealand’s treasured
stone at Kura Pounamu
Kura Pounamu: Our Treasured Stone
tells the story of pounamu (greenstone),
its significance for Māori and Ngāi Tahu as
kaitiaki (guardians) of the resource, and its
place in our national identity.
The exhibition, which toured
internationally for several years, features
more than 200 pounamu treasures from
the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa
Tongarewa.
These treasures include pounamu shaped
into adornments, tools and weapons by
both historic and modern carvers and from
iwi across New Zealand.
The touring exhibition has been enhanced
by a section showcasing the importance of
Waitaha (Canterbury) as the gateway to Te
Tai o Poutini (The West Coast) and Kaiapoi
Pā as the
centre of the
p o u n a m u
trade.
Visitors
can see
more
carved
treasures,
touch giant
pounamu
boulders
and learn
about
how this
precious stone is formed.
From 15 December at Canterbury
Museum.
Visit www.shantytown.co.nz to purchase
discounted online entry tickets
Rutherglen Road, Paroa (10km south of Greymouth)
Open 7 days 8:30am - 5:00pm
Phone 03 762 6634