outdoor activities

Te Ara Pukapuka is coming to Central Park!

Merritt 0 Comments

So far Te Ara Pukapuka has travelled around the city from Churchill Park in Seatoun, to Khandallah Park, to Kilbirnie Park, to Waihinahina Park in Newlands, to Karori Park, to the latest installment which will be arriving at Central Park on May 11!

For the Autumn 2024 installment at Central Park we have a brand new pukapuka that has been carefully chosen for this location. Wellington City Libraries and Wellington City Parks, Sport & Recreation got in touch with Upstream: Friends of Central Park and asked them if there were any particular themes, any critters or creatures that lived around the park that they’d like to see featured in the selected book. We received their list, and we think that the book we’ve chosen aligns very nicely with their suggestions.

The chosen book features a creature that can be frequently seen at Central Park. In the book, this creature has a very important mission, keeping harmful creatures out of Tane’s forest, and we also get to learn some information about this creature too.

But we’re not telling you what it is yet! Keep an eye out right here on the Kids’ Blog and we’ll reveal the selected pukapuka, along with some photos of the installation process, once it’s up and ready to be read over at Central Park. Who knows, if you get in early you might get to the park and find the book before we announce it!

A book cover with a question amrk on it

What book will you find at Central Park?

But what is Te Ara Pukapuka?

Te Ara Pukapuka is a children’s walk where you get to read a wonderful pukapuka as you get out and explore nature. The first page of the story will be displayed at the start of the track, then as you follow the path along you also read a story.

Each pukapuka selected for Te Ara Pukapuka is by a New Zealand author, and we match the subject matter of the book to the natural surroundings in each park.

While you’re pondering which book we’ve selected for Te Ara Pukapuka at Central Park, why not check out some of the pukapuka featured in previous installations around the city?

The taniwha of Wellington Harbour / Wairama, Moira
“Retelling of the legend of how Wellington Harbour was created. In ancient times in Aotearoa, there was a beautiful lake in which there dwelt two monstrous taniwha. Their names were Whataitai and Ngake. Whataitai and Ngake are two taniwha living in a beautiful lake, however when Ngake gets bored and decides to break free into the ocean his actions have far reaching consequences and help shape the landscape of our capital city. Suggested level: junior, primary.” (Catalogue)

Watch out, snail / Hay, Gay
“In the New Zealand bush, a native Powelliphanta Snail must escape from a variety of predators, including a possum, a hedgehog and a wild pig. Includes factual information on Powelliphanta and New Zealand wildlife, and an English-to-Maori glossary. Suggested level: junior.” (Catalogue)

The promise of Puanga : a story for Matariki / Wadsworth, Kirsty
“There is a bright new star in the winter sky — Puanga, cousin to the Matariki sisters. Each year, she appears to the people of Aotearoa, a special sign (for those unable to see Matariki) that winter and the Māori new year are coming. With themes of friendship, family, Māori tradition and the empowerment of young women”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)

Flit the Fantail and the flying flop / Merewether, Katherine Q.
“‘Flit the baby fantail is not allowed to fly. “Stay here, little Flit. Your wings are not strong enough for flying,” say Ma and Pa Fantail. “Stay safe inside the nest.” But Flit is bored. And hungry. A tasty mozzie lures him out of his nest. “I CAN fly,” he calls, before he hits the ground with a THUD. How will he get back to his nest? Join Flit and his friends, Kiki the kaka, rascally robins Bit and Bob, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru as they exercise some teamwork. Can they figure out a way to help Flit back to his nest safely before Ma and Pa return?”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)

Tama and the taniwha / Koster, Melanie
“Don’t put your puku in the water! The taniwha will get you! Tama’s big sisters to scare him. Is he brave enough to dive into the lake? And will a glittery, flashy-splashy taniwha get him?”–Back cover” (Catalogue)

NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – Non Fiction Award Finalists!

Katie

Check it out, kids! Wellington City Libraries are jam packed full of Non Fiction goodies that have been shortlisted for the New Zealand Book Awards – Whoohoo! So what are you waiting for, come on down to the library or place a reserve to ensure you get hold of one or all of these amazing books that will widen your knowledge of New Zealand wildlife, creatures and some good old fashioned history.

Enjoy!

image courtesy of syendticsFrom Moa to Dinosaurs: Explore & discover ancient New Zealand.

Prepare to go on a journey where you will get a glimpse of the animals that lived in ancient New Zealand just before people arrived. It then goes back in time, providing snapshots of particular periods, as far back as 180 million years ago. The range of animals covered in this book include: moa and other extraordinary birds that are now extinct; crocodilians and turtles; the shark-toothed dolphin and giant penguins; dinosaurs such as sauropods and theropods; as well as those resilient survivors who can still be found in New Zealand today, such as kiwi, native bats, giant weta and tuatara. Overall I found this beautifully illustrated and a wonderful resource that will intrigue and encourage children to learn something about the origins of New Zealand.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsJack and Charlie: Boys of the bush.

“The true story of two boys who live on the wild and rugged West Coast of the South Island. Join Jack and Charlie as they go whitebaiting and fishing, panning for gold, chopping wood with their tomahawks, firing at targets with their bows and arrows, plucking ducks, camping in the bush and rafting down rivers”–Publisher information.

 

image courtesy of sydneticsThe Cuckoo and the Warbler.

This book tells the true story of one of the most remarkable wildlife relationships in New Zealand, between pipiwharauroa, the shining cuckoo, and riroriro, the grey warbler. It is a story of tragedy, trickery and faithful care – and it plays out each spring and summer in the forests of Aotearoa. Although rarely seen by humans, the interaction of these two native birds is a striking example of nature’s inventiveness. Overall a beautiful, heart warming story that can be enjoyed by children and adults.

The Genius of Bugs.

Discover a world of insects as you have never seen it before. “Inspired by the science exhibition Bug Lab, which was brought to Wellington in December 2016 by Te Papa and Weta Workshop”, The Genius of Bugs presents a cast of amazing and unexpected bugs, from the killer brain-surgeon jewel wasp to the master-of-disguise orchid mantis, to the New Zealand favourite, the wētā”–Publisher information. This book is guaranteed to be a favourite.

Torty and the Soldier.

“Meet Torty! She’s one tough little tortoise with a beat-up shell and some missing toes. Torty survived a great war that raged in Europe one hundred years ago. She was rescued back then by a young Kiwi solder. Torty is a true World War One survivor. “–Publisher information. This book is in one word – AWESOME! and is a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults.

6 New children’s non-fiction to keep you entertained over the school holidays

Katie

image courtesy of syndeticsOxford Roald Dahl Dictionary.

From aardvark to zozimus, a real Roald Dahl dictionary of everyday and extra-usual words. Yes, believe it or not, there is a Roald Dahl dictionary in existence! This book will inspire you to choose and use each and every word brilliantly in your own writing – whether it’s a real word, a Roald Dahl word or your own made-up one. A must read for anyone who is a Roald Dahl fan or wanting to become a writer.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsGo Photo!

Looking to becoming a nature photographer or do photography based projects over the school holidays? Then check out this amazing book the features 23 hands on and creative photography activities. Accessible, fun and practical, the activities in this book have been brought together to engage kids in the fun and wonder of photography. Great to use for indoor and outdoor activities.

 

image courtesy of syndeticsThe Story of the Olympics.

The Olympics are nearly here, why not get schooled up just in time by reading The Story of the Olympics? Full of wacky facts about the Olympics and Olympic champions down the centuries, this book takes you through the entire story and history of the Olympics, from their beginning in Ancient Greece right up to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics of 2016. Also contains the funny, surprising, heroic exploits of winners and loser around the world.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsDo Animals go to schools?

Do you think animals go to school? Of course not!  Although animals don’t go to school in a special building, they do have to learn important lessons to survive. They must master how to catch and store food, make nests, fight against enemies and find their way around. Sometimes their parents teach them. Sometimes they learn by themselves. Do animals have refrigerators? Do they go to the doctor? Do they dance and sing? These and many more questions are answered in this intriguing natural history book.

 

 

Do Animals need umbrellas?image courtesy of syndetics

This book is the perfect introduction to the amazing diversity of the animal kingdom. Do animals carry umbrellas or wear winter clothes? Of course they don’t! In nature, animals have to survive using only their own bodies. Creatures in cold climates have thick fur, feathers or fat to keep them warm. Those that live in dry places need to drink very little water. Animals in wet places have waterproof fur, feathers, scales or skin to keep them dry. Such adaptations help creatures to survive. Do animals play in the waves? Do they ever get stuck in the mud? These and many more questions about how animals live in different habitats are answered in this entertaining book.

 

 

image courtesy of syndeticsOutside: A Guide to discovering nature.

This fantastic guide offers a lot of information that allows you to discover nature in one’s own backyard, and includes tips on identifying trees, flowers, mammals, rocks, and insects, and examining the night sky.