Are you a hellraiser mite or a knobbled weevil? Take the quiz and vote for NZ’s Bug of the Year theconversation.com/are-you-a-he...

We can all be part of the solution! newsroom.co.nz/2026/01/14/i...

Flying foxes die in their thousands in worst mass-mortality event since Australia’s black summer

🦇 Call for Abstracts | National Pekapeka Hui 2026 Got insights, stories, or research about pekapeka in Aotearoa? We want to hear from you! The National Pekapeka Hui 2026 is your chance to share mahi that matters 💡 ⏰ Abstract submissions close 27 January 2026 🔗 Submit yours today: pekapeka.org

“With a little care and cooperation, Aucklanders can prove summer fun and wildlife protection go hand in hand” ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/su...

We’re excited to be hosting the National Pekapeka Hui 2026 at Rereteewhioi Marae in Franklin! 📅 When: 25–27 March 2026 🌏 Theme: People • Pekapeka • Place Got questions in the meantime? Flick us an email us at [email protected] Save the date, we can’t wait to see you in Franklin! 🦇

This morning I visited Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, a 60-hectare reserve on the northwest edge of Hamilton, opposite Hamilton Zoo. It was special to return to a place where I helped plant some of the very first native plants for this restoration project.

Positive 🦇 story! #bats #lovebats #conservation #nature #naturalhistory www.theguardian.com/environment/...

More hornets expected over summer, public urged to remain vigilant www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/582... #yellowleggedhornets #community #biosecurity #pestfreeAKL 🐝

Today I took the family to Ōtakamiro Point, one of our few mainland gannet (takapu) breeding colonies. The sights, sounds, and smells are incredible! #muriwai #gannet #takapu #family #schoolholidays #aklbiodiversity

The attacks on the birds have prompted mana whenua, conservation organisations, DOC and Auckland Council to urge dog owners to keep their pets under control and well away from the rocky coastline, dunes, and pest-free islands where kororā are found. www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r... #pestfeeAKL

2025 in review 🦇 Highlights include: Sharing our community-led pekapeka work at the International Bat Research Conference, the launching Manaaki Pekapeka (pekapeka.org) to unite conservation efforts, and mentoring the next generation of conservation champions.

We’re assisting the Ministry of Primary Industries to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet – a major threat to New Zealand’s primary industries. Please be vigilant and report any sightings! Find out more: bit.ly/4iT9k63 #Biosecurity #YellowLeggedHornet #BioeconomyScience

As the yellow-legged hornet buffer area increases to 11km to cover more of the North, West and Central areas, MPI have released a new video on what to look out for on where nests can be. Feel free to share this with our community partners youtu.be/jmJbV2QOSoU?... #yellowleggedhornet #biosecurity

“The more we control pests and provide better habitat, the safer bats feel to hang out where they belong.” 🦇 ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/12... #community #conservation #pekapeka #nzbats #auckland

Out walking the streets in today’s heat as part of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ response work, door knocking and keeping an eye out for any signs of yellow-legged hornets. Thankfully, our team found none.

🦇 in the news. #bats #lovebats #nature #wildlife scitechdaily.com/meet-the-tin...

Had one of those real proud moments at the EcoQuest 25th anniversary celebration today. Watching Sky and Dani share the story of their fish mahi, and hearing Hayley talk so passionately about pekapeka, was something special.

“This tiny fish may be secretive, but its survival depends on us noticing it, protecting and carefully managing its wetland habitats.” www.teaonews.co.nz/2025/11/29/n... #aklbiodiversity

🦇A lot of people think bats try to “get tangled in your hair.” Nope. These animals fly with precision that would make any fighter pilot jealous. If a bat brushes past you, it chose that line on purpose - and it could’ve flown through a smaller gap if it wanted to.

"It was this year that we found two new populations so it's been quite an amazing year for us." www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Today I was out helping Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) with their yellow-legged hornet response going door-to-door in the Glenfield area. Our team didn’t find any, but the best thing was most Glenfieldians knew about the hornets.

This sweet western red bat female got dislodged from her home after a storm but will be going back out into the wild again shortly. 🦇 #bats #arizona #wildanimals #cuteanimals #wildlife

And in case you didn’t catch it, the next AOC will be held in Auckland, NZ in February 2027! Looking forward to returning to Aotearoa and catching up with that Kōkako!

Sian Crowley accepting her Ecology in Action award @newzealandecology.bsky.social

Brendan Dunphy kicks off the #Auckland @newzealandecology.bsky.social mini conference with an eye-opening talk on what studying seabirds are telling us about our marine and terrestrial ecosystems both locally and globally #nzes2025

🦇Male bats in Alberta aren’t belting out love songs - but some species do produce complex ultrasonic calls that might be part of their mating strategy. Bat dating is all about performance: up to 40 kHz of “check out my skills.” (see comments for audio!)

Supporting Finding Franklin Bats last night with the Wild Heroes film crew helping make these pekapeka TV stars 🌟 🦇 #nzbats #community #conservation #aklbiodiversity #pekapeka #biodiversity #pestfreeakl #wildheroes

Incredible story by @kiwifarah.bsky.social on a man’s mission to control feral cats in Fiordland “He knows his idea won’t eradicate feral cats completely but each cat removed is another hungry predator gone.” www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/i...

Pekapeka being appreciated since ages ago 🦇 www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/...

Had an amazing time at the Regional Auckland Predator Free Hui today! The speakers were incredibly inspiring. But, the highlight of these gatherings is always the opportunity to connect with passionate individuals face-to-face #PredatorFree #Auckland #pestfreeAKL #Community #Conservation #Networking

Imogen from Auckland Council speaks on the challenges of managing all pests in a growing largest city #predatorfreehui @predatorfreenz.bsky.social

Jessi for @predatorfreenz.bsky.social speaking at the #predatorfreehui about a culture shift and collaboration benefiting all of us 🐀

Definitely going to use this on my house 🦇🦇

Although I agree with his sentiments, I dislike his use of🦇💩 newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/29/w...

Do bats hold the keys to long life? And maximizing "health spans"? An interesting dive into bat physiological studies and a discussion of what we might learn from long-lived animals like bats.🦇 youtu.be/8HSpJbWqfBs?...

The town with no hedgehogs #predatorfreenz thespinoff.co.nz/science/21-1...

The Environmental Services team are looking for Biosecurity Ambassadors to help safeguard our kauri forests 🌳 and marine spaces 🌊 Apply now: 🔗 Team Coordinator: lnkd.in/gVqhyMc4 🔗 Biosecurity Ambassador: lnkd.in/gyszryGs 🔗 Marine Biosecurity Role: lnkd.in/gfHZdERM #Auckland #jobs #pestfreeAKL

“It’s not about trees versus houses,” she says. “We also have huge areas like sports fields that could do with a lot more trees around the edges. Every bit of canopy helps.” @ecostanley.bsky.social #aklbiodiversity newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/f...

🦇Halloween Special Bat Walk 🦇 📅 Date: Friday 31st October 2025 @ 7:20pm 🗺️ Location: (Details and directions will be sent to registered attendees) 🎟️ Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/pekapeka-w... Spaces are limited, but don’t worry if you miss out, more Bat Walks are coming over the next few months.

Running a little late but here I am back with #FatBatWeek extended. This little lad is one of my favourite species – the NZ short-tailed bat, pollinator of the flower of Hades with frybread and a offbrand L&P. @nzbatman.bsky.social @forestandbird.bsky.social @batcon.org

🦇 Celebrate #BatAppreciationMonth with #WillEskridge @donutbat.bsky.social youtube.com/shorts/bBaqM...

Today a social media memory popped up, reminding me that fifteen years ago, I started my bat journey in Hamilton, co-founding Project Echo to help people discover the amazing world of our native bats. We ran some bat walks at the Waikato Museum that surprisingly completely sold out... 🦇

Colouring wharenui for #māorlanguageweek at Bunnings New Lynn

It was great to meet Clare Cudmore-Neame and Catherine Budai in real life for the launch of Matt the Bat and the Bird of the Year at Remuera Library this morning to celebrate their book inspired by the true story of Forest & Bird’s #BirdOfTheYear 🦇

Read our latest blog post by @laura-paltrinieri.bsky.social‬, whose research reveals how temperature and rainfall affect the body size of European bats. 🦇 Laura offers insights into their resilience, vulnerability, and what it means for conservation in a warming world. 🌍 bit.ly/3GsQunp

It’s not quite national telly but Ben also came onto HANZ to speak about pekapeka, probably my personal favoured BOTY episode! Give it a listen if you haven’t already! historyaotearoa.com/2021/10/23/7...

As Bird of the Year in Aotearoa swings into full campaign mode for 2025, I found myself reflecting on my time as the pekapeka spokesperson during the one (and only) time a bat was allowed in the competition 🦇

📣 It was so great to be a bat cheerleader for Ana last night as she talked at the Auckland Zoological Society about the benefits of an undergraduate student attending the @ibrc2025.bsky.social conference last month, including meeting her hero Merlin Tuttle 🦇 #ibrc2025

Make sure you vote y’all #voteAKL