Puhi Peaks Kaikoura Wilderness Experience

20/07/2026

Have you explored the spectacular global 'Wall of Birds' yet? 🗺️🦅

We recently came across this brilliant feature from the Cornell Lab Bird Academy and just had to share it.

Officially titled From So Simple a Beginning, this extraordinary mural by artist Jane Kim and the Ink Dwell studio is a massive, three-story celebration of avian life. It features 270 species, representing every single living bird family on Earth—alongside a ghostly parade of their extinct ancestors.

Best of all, Jane painted every single bird completely life-sized and in stunning, colourful detail! 🎨

While New York is a bit far to pop over for the weekend, their online interactive version is absolutely world-class. It lets you zoom right into the high-resolution artwork, browse the history of global bird families, and learn about the planet’s most unique and outrageous birds.

It’s a fantastic rabbit hole to disappear down over a cuppa—see if you can spot some of our own iconic Southern Hemisphere species while you explore! 🇳🇿✨

👉 Dive in and explore the interactive mural here: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/wallofbirds/

23/06/2026

If you’ve ever walked the tracks with us at Kaikoura Wilderness Experience or around Puhi Peaks Station, you’ll know our kakaruwai / South Island robins are absolute characters. They adore following us around, bounding up to check out our boots, and eagerly waiting to see if we'll stir up a tasty insect meal. We absolutely cherish how inquisitive and friendly they are!

But a fascinating study shared by Predator Free New Zealand Trust hits incredibly close to home. Researchers compared the personalities of robins living on predator-free Motuara Island with mainland robins right here in our Kaikoura backyard (specifically looking at birds in Kowhai Bush and Waimangarara Bush).

The study looked at "avian audacity"—testing how brave individual robins were when approaching a researcher to get a snack of mealworms.

The findings are a brilliant look into how wild animals adapt:

The Island Birds: On predator-free Motuara Island, the robins were significantly bolder, swaggering right up to the researchers without hesitation.

Our Kaikoura Birds: On the mainland, where introduced mammals are a constant threat, our robins were much more cautious and took longer to approach.

The Fast Sn**ch: Interestingly, the study found that once the Kaikoura robins actually decided to approach, they cleared away the food much faster than the island birds. On the mainland, lingering too long is dangerous, so they've learned to grab and go!

It turns out that constant pressure from pests like rats, stoats, and possums actively selects for shyer, more risk-averse behaviours. In a world with predators, being too fearless is unfortunately penalised, meaning our mainland robins have to dial back their famous charm just to survive.

This is exactly why the intensive predator control and biodiversity conservation work we do out here on the station is so vital. By keeping pest numbers low, we're protecting a safe haven where our native wildlife can thrive in balance—and where a robin can live its best, boldest life.

Next time you’re out here and a little kakaruwai hops down to inspect your boots, give them a quiet thank you for being brave!

👉 Read the full research breakdown via Predator Free NZ here: https://predatorfreenz.org/research/are-robins-losing-their-personalities/
🔬 For those who love to delve into the science, you can read the full peer-reviewed study in the New Zealand Journal of Zoology here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03014223.2023.2255165

17/06/2026

Big wins for Kaikōura’s biodiversity! 🕊️✨
Having Hutton’s shearwater colonies on our station means we see firsthand how vital it is to protect these endangered birds. Light pollution can severely disorient them on their flight paths, which is why this SH1 lighting upgrade is such a game-changer.
By switching to fully shielded, warm-colour lighting, this collaboration manages to keep our roads safe while actively safeguarding our unique wildlife and internationally recognised dark skies.
Brilliant work to all the teams involved. Take a look at the article and video link below to see how it was done!🌌

A great example of what can be achieved when organisations work together.

This SH1 lighting upgrade brought together NZTA, Kaikōura District Council, Connetics, Energylight and the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust to improve road safety while reducing light pollution and helping protect Kaikōura’s internationally recognised dark skies. The project also aims to reduce impacts on the flight paths of the endangered Hutton’s shearwater through the use of carefully designed, fully shielded warm-colour lighting.

We're proud to have been part of this collaboration and grateful to everyone involved in delivering such a positive outcome. Read the full case study and view some great video footage here: https://energylight.net/why-energy-light/case-studies/kaikoura-sh1/

Photo credit: Andrew Spencer

10/06/2026

An absolutely wonderful achievement for Nicky McArthur - owner of Puhi Peaks - well deserved! ❤️

23/05/2026

The bird that wouldn't give up.

The story of Old Blue is a reminder that "too late" is often just a matter of perspective. In 1980, the entire Black Robin species came down to a single breeding pair. Today, over 250 birds thrive because of one legendary female and a team that refused to let her vanish.

Our native species are more than just wildlife; they are the living history of our land. When we invest in conservation, we aren't just saving a bird—we’re protecting the balance of our entire ecosystem.

If Old Blue can come back from the brink, there is hope for every species we choose to stand behind.

14/05/2026

From the Maniototo to the Seaward Kaikōuras: Celebrating Aotearoa’s Dark Skies

It is fantastic to see more places across Aotearoa being recognized for protecting our natural darkness. A recent Guardian article highlights the small Central Otago town of Naseby and its new status as a Dark Sky Community. From curling under the stars to incredible Milky Way views, it’s a wonderful example of how local communities are valuing the night sky.
For anyone planning a South Island adventure, Naseby and Kaikōura offer two distinct and incredible ways to experience the stars:
• Naseby shows us how a historic town can adapt its lighting to become a Dark Sky Community, blending heritage charm with stargazing.
• Here at Puhi Peaks, we are proud to be part of the Kaikōura International Dark Sky Sanctuary. This status is reserved for the world’s most remote and pristine locations, where the darkness is near-total and the celestial views are unparalleled.

Protecting these "Natural Strongholds" of darkness is about more than just a pretty view; it’s about conservation, ecology, and creating those rare, quiet moments of wonder.

Whether you are heading into the heart of Otago or visiting us here on the peaks, make sure to look up—our southern skies have a story to tell.

It took 10 years for Naseby to achieve its DarkSky International certification. Now, a night out in the tiny Otago town is like ‘a tour through the history of the universe’

08/05/2026

Today, the world celebrates a century of Sir David Attenborough. For us at Puhi Peaks, his legacy feels personal.

In 1997, Sir David brought his film crew to Kaikōura to document the Hutton’s Shearwater for the BBC, shining a global spotlight on our local endangered tītī. While he visited the colony in the Kowhai River, his work helped the world understand why protecting these mountain-nesting seabirds is so critical—a mission that remains at the very heart of what we do every day here at the station. 💚

Sir David has spent 100 years championing the intricate web of life. His voice continues to inspire our "boots-on-the-ground" biodiversity work, from predator control to habitat protection.

Happy 100th Birthday, Sir David. Thank you for showing the world the magic of our natural world and for teaching us all how to be better guardians of the land. 🌳🌲🪾

"It’s surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth." — Sir David Attenborough.

08/05/2026

Still flowering in May? 🌿

Our Kānuka is still providing for the local ecosystem well into the cooler months. These late blossoms are a vital late-season treat for our native pollinators before the winter properly sets in.

Keeping a close eye on the seasonal shifts here at Puhi Peaks. 🏔️🌳🌸🐝

05/05/2026

A Rare Discovery & A Necessary Win at 1,000m 🏔️🦜

While checking our 1,000m trap lines—originally set to protect our Hutton’s shearwater (Kaikōura tītī) colonies—our biodiversity manager made a remarkable discovery. Kea are back! These iconic alpine parrots haven’t been seen in this part of Kaikōura for quite some time, and finding them residing here is a massive win for our biodiversity efforts.
In the video, you can hear their distinct calls and see one of these two beautiful birds high in the canopy. While we aren’t sure yet if they are a breeding pair, seeing two together is a very promising sign for the area.
However, the video also highlights the harsh reality of the threats they face. Even at this altitude, we are catching feral cats. While our traps aren’t specifically designed for cats, “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” and removing an apex predator from this habitat is vital for the safety of both the kea and the Hutton’s shearwater.
Why this matters:
• Doubling Down on Protection: Our predator control is now more critical than ever, as it protects two of New Zealand’s most vulnerable alpine species in the same terrain.
• High-Country Predators: Feral cats are incredibly adaptable and thrive even in remote, high-altitude environments.
• Biodiversity in Action: This discovery proves that active management allows our native species to return to their rightful homes.
We’re stoked to see kea back on the peaks and are more determined than ever to keep Puhi Peaks a safe haven for them.

04/05/2026

Local Discovery! 12-Year-Old Finds Rare Native Frog in Lower Hutt Backyard. 🐸👀

A remarkable discovery by 12-year-old Rumi Lourie has proven that you don't need to travel to a remote sanctuary to find New Zealand’s rarest treasures. While exploring a creek near his home, Rumi spotted a frog that didn't match the usual introduced species. His curiosity led him to contact the Department of Conservation (DOC), who confirmed it was a native Hochstetter’s frog.
Why this matters for biodiversity:
• Hidden Populations: The discovery revealed a "lost" population that survived in the wild for 50 years following an accidental escape from a 1970s research project.
• Resilience: These frogs have managed to breed and survive in a busy suburban environment despite predators and major weather events.
• Community Science: This fabulous find highlights the vital role that young explorers play in monitoring our local ecosystems. By simply paying attention to their "own backyard," young people can contribute significant data to national conservation efforts.
Rumi’s story is a reminder that biodiversity isn't just something found in national parks—it’s living in our local creeks, bushes, and gardens, waiting to be noticed by the next generation of scientists.

🐸 Did you know Hochstetter’s Frogs:
• Are one of only four ancient native frog species left in New Zealand.
• Unlike most frogs, they don't croak and they don't have external eardrums.
• They have vertical "cat-like" pupils and don't go through a swimming tadpole stage; they hatch as fully formed froglets.

Genetic testing confirmed the Hochstetter's frog was a descendant of a group which escaped captivity during a flood nearly 50 years ago.