seasocietynz

In March 2019, I began my online passion project, which has slowly grown to become a community of people passionate about nature, the oceans, conservation, sustainability and wildlife rights. Thanks to you! For those of you unfamiliar with SEA SOCIETY and are wondering what we are about. Our purpose is to provide education and advocacy. […]

In southern New Zealand/Aotearoa, from November to February annually is New Zealand sea lion/pakake breeding season and yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho chick hatching/guarding season. In addition, a juvenile elephant seal/mirounga leonine took up residence in the Clutha Region; therefore, it is essential that strong vehicle restrictions on beaches are in place. On the 1st of January 2023,

For the mums/māmā’s, soon to be mum’s, ‘wish I were’ mum’s, step-mum’s, dad’s/pāpara who are mum’s, mum’s who have been lost, mum’s who can’t be present, foster mum’s, pet mum’s, the women/wāhine who choose not to be mums. Whakamihia Te Rā o Te Māmā, Happy Mother’s Day! Photo: A New Zealand sea lion/pakake mum with

On the 26th of May, we are taking to the streets to demand Parliament act towards mitigating climate change. Here is your opportunity to stand up for your whānau. Whether you are a climate change/global warming believer, or denier, that is not important. What is important is whether you are prepared to stand up and

Today, is Earth Day! Traditionally, Māori believe in whakapapa, which means genealogy. Whakapapa chronicles evolution from the beginning of time, and explains people’s connection to each other, the natural and the spiritual world. Every being is dependent on Earth; for oxygen, for energy, for heat, for resources such as fresh water and food, for connection

Were it not for the dedication of entities like Penguin Place – conservation reserve, Forest & Bird – who own Te Rere Reserve, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and the Department of Conservation, there is a high probability that yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho would be extinct on mainland Aotearoa now. Read on to learn what Jason from Penguin

Yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho are notoriously shy and anti-social. It is a wonder how someone managed to get one to pose long enough for their portrait on the NZD5! Hoiho prefer to build their nests away from other penguins and demonstrate sexual equality by mum and dad taking turns to incubate the egg for six weeks. Thereafter,

Jason van Zanten has been the official Manager at Penguin Place – conservation reserve and the unofficial psychologist for birds for about four years. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jason about the essential mahi they do at Penguin Place. Q. For someone who would like to work with indigenous species like yellow eyed

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Penguin Place – conservation reserve Manager Jason van Zanten, who is knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho conservation; and not just because hoiho are “noise shouters”, and their striking yellow eyes and headband command your attention, but because like Howard McGrouther had in 1985, Jason recognises how

Penguin Place – conservation reserve is a private conservation reserve on the beautiful Otago Peninsula that was founded in 1985, to help protect the critically-endangered yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho (Megadyptes antipodes). In the 1960’s, Percy McGrouther purchased the property to farm sheep with his two sons Howard and Jim. After Percy semi-retired, Howard took over operations and