Staglands Icon Mourned
We are very sad to share the news of the sudden and unexpected death our one of our long term, iconic residents Ben the Clydesdale horse.
Ben passed away on 24th May however we have been awaiting autopsy results before advising of his death. Despite being in great health it has been confirmed that Ben suffered a sudden and overwhelming septic shock to his system. As yet the source of this is unconfirmed.
Ben lived at Staglands for over a decade and was one of our best known and much loved residents. Our magnificent and gentle giant will be sorely missed by staff and visitors alike.
Staglands Art Competition Winners
With over 700 entries, competition was fierce in our annual children’s art competition. Education Coordinator at Expressions, Rebecca Pubben, was given the tough job of judging the winners. She rose to the challenge, spending a nail-biting few hours deliberating over the sea of entries that greeted her.
Congratulations to all our winners for their fantastic artwork, and thank you to everyone who took part.
For anyone who may be interested all entries will be available to view at a special exhibition at Expressions between 10th and 28th May.
AND THE WINNERS ARE....
1st Overall Seth Palmer-Rennie (aged 8) - won an annual family pass to Staglands (valued at $140) plus a free visit for all his classmates at Silverstream school
1st 0-4 years Ina Lotta Laverty (aged 2) - won a family pass to Staglands (valued at $56)
1st 5-7 years Travis Barton-Cooley (aged 7) - won a family pass to Staglands (valued at $56)
1st 8 - 10 years Ziane (aged 10) - won a family pass to Staglands (valued at $56)
Special merit awards (an annual pass to Staglands valued at $20) also went to:
Harrison Johnson
Hannah Whyte
Jamie Lewis
Hayley Pollard
Nkhata Hollywell
Elliot James
Harry Le Cheminant
Samuel Lindsay
Sari Willis
Lucy Patince
WINNING SCHOOLS:
Clifton Terrace School - winner for largest % entries versus roll - won a free trip to Staglands for up to 50 students and staff
Silverstream School - school overall winner attends - won a whole class visit for overall winners class mates.
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Trip Advisor Reviews...
We would like to encourage our visitors to write reviews about Staglands on one of the worlds leading travel review websites - TripAdvisor. So we have made it easier for you do so, by adding a direct link to their website on our website! Simply click on the 'write a review of Staglands Wildlife Reserve' Tripadvisor button on the left of each page of our website to submit your review.
We would welcome your feedback.
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Arapawa goats arrive at Staglands
We have some rather exciting new residents - 6 Arapawa goats. They were captured by DOC from their isolated island home Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds, as part of an initiative set up to help preserve this rare breed numbering less than 300 worldwide.
Arapawa goats are a fascinating small feral breed of goat with striking markings and they are unusual in that both sexes are horned and sport elegant goaty beards which gives them great character.
Part of Staglands role is to help, wherever we can, with the preservation of rare breeds. These goats will be housed at Staglands where visitors can see them and learn about their history in NZ and the males here will be made available to North Island Arapawa goat breeeders requiring stud service.
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TripAdvisor Award 2012
TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site, offering trusted advice from real travellers.
We are excited to announce that Staglands are the proud 2012 winners of one of their prestigious Certificates of Excellence.
This Certificate honours businesses that consistently earn top ratings from TripAdvisor travellers. ''With a rating of 4.5 Staglands Wildlife Reserve has earned a place among the very best''
If you have visited recently and would like to write a review, please click on the trip advisor link on the left. We would welcome your feedback
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Radio New Zealand National - Country Life interview....
Just in case you missed the fascinating interview with Staglands owners John Simister and Sarah Purdy which aired on 14th December, you can listen to it by clicking here
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Latest Stag Rag
The latest edition of our email newsletter 'The Stag Rag' is now available,click here to view a pdf copy. Alternatively to ensure you are kept up to date on upandcoming offers and what's new at Staglands you can subscribe by completing the contact us form and ticking the box on the form.
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Staglands only Wellington attraction in Top 10
11 August 2011
Kids Friendly New Zealand recently held a People's Choice Award for the top NZ family-friendly attractions in the country and Staglands is in the top 10.
People voted for attractions they believed should be on your 'Must See or to do' list if holidaying in New Zealand with children. Dominating the top 10 were places in the South Island with only 4 North Island attractions listed and only one from Wellington, which was us!
Top 10 Family Attractions in New Zealand
1. Coronet Peak Ski Field (Queenstown)
2. Auckland Zoo (Auckland)
3. The Remarkable Ski Field (Queenstown) 4. Butterfly Creek (Auckland)
5. Mt Hutt Ski Field (Mt Hutt)
6. Puzzling World (Wanaka)
7. Hanmer Springs Hot Pools (Hanmer Springs)
8. Staglands Wildlife Reserve (Upper Hutt/Wellington)
9. Milford Sounds
10. Skyline luge (Rotorua)
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Latest winner of our photo competition
Congratulations to Katharine Galloway who is the winner for Jan / Mar with this gorgeous - feeding time - photograph.
Katharaine won an annual family pass to Staglands
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Kea Loot
Did anyone see this great photograph of our lovely Kea tucking into his Halloween loot on TV One news recently? Josh, our Conservation Officer and Photographer, treated him to the Jack O’Lantern full of Kea treats (nuts and dried fruit) as part of our enrichment programme designed to stimulate their clever, inquisitive minds. Needless to say there’s not there's not much left of the pumpkin now!
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Sad end for baby bunnies mothered by bantam hen
Dominion Post Article 29 Jan 2011
Paul Easton
It was a cute tale that made the news around the world, but it has ended sadly after the five baby bunnies adopted by a chicken all died.
The silkie bantam hen got global media attention after she became a surrogate parent to her unlikely brood, at Staglands Wildlife Reserve near Upper Hutt. The inter-species family made the news in the United States, Brazil and Australia.
Read the full story
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TV ONE News 20 Jan 2011
Hen becomes surrogate mum to baby rabbits
A silky bantam hen has become a surrogate mother to four baby rabbits in Upper Hutt.
Dominion Post article 21 Jan 2011
Five Bantam bunnies the apple of mum's eye
A clucky hen at a wildlife park near Upper Hutt has taken an unlikely brood under her wing – five baby bunnies.
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Staglands Snippets
- Rare Arapawa goats have recently arrived at Staglands
- kune kune and auckland island piglet litters born recently
- Free roaming kune kune piglets
- late clutches of both peafowl and turkeys
- Weather permitting, donkey cart rides at weekends and during the school holiday
Staglands Snippets last updated Apr 2013
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