The Great NZ Weta

This one was found in the washing machine !!! .. Body about 5cm long .. not a big one really.









These two are the bigger giant wetas









The weta is an amazing insect, found not just in New Zealand but also in South Africa, Australia, and South America. Although not unique to New Zealand, the weta is found here in its largest forms. Here it is able to grow lengths of up to 90mm and weighs up to 70grams. The weta exists in almost every habitat that New Zealand has to offer, from the warm sandy climates of Northland to the alpine environments of the Southern Alps, displaying true diversity.

Weta is strictly a New Zealand name that derives from the Maori name of wetapunga that was given to the giant weta. Wetapunga translates roughly to "God of ugly things". Other Maori names, tokoriro and putangatanga, have been applied to the Auckland tree weta that is found throughout the northern and central parts of the North Island (Gibbs, 1998).

Cuba Carnival Parade

A kumpel from the other side of the world

Standing room only at Cuba St. Carnival

Sunday Star Times Sunday, 25 February 2007

Even All Blacks had to stand in downtown Wellington yesterday, as thousands took to the footpaths for the sixth Cuba Street Carnival.

Celebrity onlookers included Hurricanes midfielder and All Black Ma'a Nonu - who swore the pink handbag he was carrying belonged to his four- year-old niece Maya.

"It's a great occasion," he said. "They should have this more often."

The event is billed as New Zealand's biggest free street festival and more than 50 live acts were expected to perform until 2am today.

Local dub and reggae favourites Kora had the crowd on its feet first.

"Wicked," said Ema Rolton, 20, who ignored the blazing heat and poi-danced her way through the midday set.

Six-year-olds Kahurangi Gray and Vincent Davis-Herlihy skipped the music in favour of Cuba St's iconic bucket fountain.

"We had a tough winter," said Vincent's father, Karl. "It's fantastic to see Wellingtonians making the most of this."

The carnival's highlight was expected to be a late-night illuminated parade, which came after a successful world record attempt at a synchronised dance. The lycra-clad Real Hot Bitches performed, with 1700 shameless participants, Bon Jovi's 1984 classic, "Shot Through the Heart".

Houdini Hurricanes do it again !

The kings of cool struck again, the Houdini Hurricanes completing yet another remarkable escape act to grab a Friday night Super 14 thriller at the Cake Tin 11-10 over the ACT Brumbies. It was the second time in four matches this season the Hurricanes have summoned a try off the last move of the game to steal victory (they also broke a 32-32 deadlock in Hamilton against the Chiefs with a try to Paul Tito) and it was also the second straight game they've won by a single point, following on the heels of last week's 23-22 close shave over the Blues.

... and guess what we got back to the car after the game ... parked by StMary's College and Jeremy had left the lights on ... battery flat ... so walk back to the station and catch the train home ... beautiful warm evening though... Oh well !!!

More FOOD

Some more of the chocolate chip cookies !!!









Two jugendlicher, two corn cobs and two fingers !!!

Hurricane WARNING

Photos from the Westpac Stadium at the Hurricanes versus the Auckland Blues game .. won by the Hurricanes 23-22 ... YES! and note the weather forcast for this weeks game against the Brumbies























Anna & Bine









Bine & Sabine









The Hurricanes warming up









Let the game begin ...












A rugby fan !!












The team during a break

Weekend 17-18 February

Saturday: hot sunny day .. BineK came over and the kitchen was attacked with brownie baking and chocolate chip biscuits












Chop chop chop eat ... chop chop chop eat









Bine. lick your fingers ... please












The awesome chocolate brownies









The chocolate chip biscuits ... what else is there for school lunches









Saturday night ... went to the Stadium with Anna and Bine to watch the Hurricanes play the Auckland Blues .. a very tight game 10-10 at half time and the Hurricanes finally won 23-22 .. a great warm night ... came home via Mt Victoria and looked at all the lights of Wellington on a very calm night .. awesome

Sabine' current favourite Hurricanes player
Cory Jane
Position: Fullback, wing
Height: 1.83mWeight: 88kg







Sunday... another really hot day .. Fay went to the gym .. the rest of us did the supermarket shopping. Anna, Fay and I went out to the Queensgate Mall in Lower Hutt ... more shopping !!!
Waffles, bananas, maple syrup for dinner .. YUM .. and then some homework ... YUK

More Lyall Bay Photos

Kiwi speak for DOGS









"BineK" ...Sabine Kirchner












The Wellington South coast .. next stop Antartica









Modern telecommunication ... trying to get reception!!












Bodies and feet









View of Lyall Bay from BineK's house .. airport in distance extreme right hand side .. red lines on map show the photo perspective

Almost full school uniform !!

Nearly have all the school uniform .. still have to get some shoes and socks ... and the tie. This is me having the "official" portrait taken before going to school today ... at least the Birkers are the right colour !

The Weekend 10-11 Feb

Saturday morning ... some light rain .. sleep in a bit ... Joshua went to cricket. We went over to check if they had enough food for lunch ... NOT .. so went to local Woolworths Supermarket at Crofton Downs and bought 3 pizzas ($12.30) .. took them home to cook and then delivered them to Onslow College for the cricket lunch.

Went into Calzone Pizza in Courteny Place ... where I can catch the bus to the railway station and got a Pizza Pollo .. chicken, cranberry and brie and a Pizza Spinnachi ... spinnach, bacon, ricotta, and pine nuts .... yummy .. for Fay, Jeremy and me. Anna baby sitting ... Josh and his mate James had McDonalds hamburgers ... YUK!

for dessert we had strawberries and Hokey Pokey icecream.

Sunday .. no rain, hot, sunny .. AWESOME .. took Fay into the gym in the city (10 mins drive) and Jeremy and I walked down Cuba Street .. went to Frutti ... an eclectic clothes boutique,












looked at school shoes, saw the famous "bucket fountain"












went to IKO IKO .. another crazy shop full of interesting things .. found out where Max and Fin are ... more clothes shops.










Walked back to the gym in Tory Street and did the fruit, vegetable and danish pastry shopping at Moore Wilsons .. sat in the sun and arranged to meet SabineK at Lyall Bay.

Home to get some gears and then Jeremy dropped me at Lyall Bay ... a bit windy ... wind surfers using paraponts and wave boards .. amazing .. reminded me of learning to wind surf.