Little green tours

27/12/2024

An article about a rare spade-toothed whale found beached in Otago. There are only 6 known specimans of this elusive species. The whale is named Ōnumia.

Researchers in New Zealand conducted the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, an elusive species with only six known specimens. The 16-foot male was found beached in Otago, offering a rare chance for scientific analysis.

The dissection revealed the whale has nine stomach chambers, containing squid remains and parasitic worms. Researchers also found vestigial teeth, shedding light on the whale's evolutionary history and its transition from ancestors with functional teeth.

The project combined Western science and Indigenous knowledge, led by Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou and Ngāti Wai experts. The whale was named Ōnumia to honor the local community’s role in the discovery and study.

24/12/2024

As Christmas 🎄 approaches Marnie the mascot for Little Green Tours has travelled around the country of Aotearoa New Zealand 🇳🇿 and across the ditch to Australia 🇦🇺 from Melbourne to Perth ( crossing the mighty Nullarbor Desert 🐪 road) . Wherever you call home Be Safe and Peaceful times with your whanau / family , friends and nearest and dearest Arohanui LGT

10/12/2024

Sites and sounds of Rotorua as the summer season approaches with the Rotorua Monopoly game, colourful street art and birdlife.

07/12/2024

Living the best life in the best way possible and the best coffee possible Sacred Grounds in Xmas 🎄 theme

30/11/2024

DESERT ROAD CLOSURE NOW FROM MID-JANUARY
State Highway 1 Tūrangi to Waiouru – including the Desert Road – will be closed for vital road rebuilding and repairs for around 2 months from Monday 13 January 2025.

This start date is 1 week later than originally planned, to try and reduce the impact on people’s summer holiday journeys, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

“We appreciate this is a very critical piece of road, so while we can’t postpone for long, we understand summer holiday journeys are important and no-one wants to be stuck in their vehicle longer than necessary,” says Roger Brady, Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

“This section of SH1 is in one of the worst conditions in the Waikato region, it’s also one of the most challenging to fix. The alpine environment and potential for a cold snap means we have to do this closure in the peak summer months because the ground temperature needs to be at 13 degrees minimum to carry out pavement works.”

Tūrangi to Waiouru is the southernmost section of the SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance project which is the largest and most ambitious maintenance and renewal project undertaken in New Zealand. NZTA is using block road closures of SH1 to deliver 4 years of road renewals within 16 months. That’s 121.8 lane km of resurfacing and rebuilding works.

“We do not take road closures lightly, but by closing this section completely from 13 January, NZTA and contractors are able to complete the work more efficiently and safely. We can use more invasive construction methodology, which would not be possible under stop/go traffic management – meaning SH1 will be quickly brought up to a higher standard.

“If we attempted this amount of work under stop/go, road users would experience at least 8 weeks of disruption a year over the next four summers – in addition to a full closure for the bridge deck replacement.

“As well as fewer disruptive delays for motorists navigating temporary traffic management at numerous sites, it also means we can attend to other maintenance work such as upgrading drainage, clearing vegetation, and improving signage and road markings.

“While the Desert Road is closed, we’ll be rebuilding or repairing 16 lane kilometres and replacing the deck on the Mangatoetoenui Bridge, which is around 23km south of Rangipō. Combining this deck replacement with the maintenance and rebuilding work is an efficiency win for everyone,” Mr Brady says.

More information will be available as soon as the detours are finalised, but it is likely that motorists would be detoured on (from north to south) – SH41, SH47, SH4, SH49 and back to SH1. The detour will add around 30 minutes to people’s journeys.

“It’s not unfamiliar to regular road users in this area, as this is the detour we use every time we do full closures of the Desert Road.”

SH46 will be open to give access to residents and businesses and those undertaking recreational activities in that area, but there will be no throughfare to or from SH1.

“NZTA is working with the freight industry and local councils throughout this project. We are also working with Iwi, businesses including tourism organisations and local freight companies and residents, to understand the impacts potential closures and detours will have,” Mr Brady says.

Nightworks will be required to lay the final seal. Timing is to be confirmed.

This work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.

Motorists can plan ahead using the NZTA Journey planner - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner . Our advice is - don’t always rely on Google Maps – sense check it first.

More information on our website: nzta.govt.nz/T2W.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey.
Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nztawbop
• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nztawbop
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

29/11/2024

Kia kaha from Mātāriki to Mātāriki Māori New Year With Living by The Stars with Professor Rangi Matamua – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 5 months in a row. 🎉

29/11/2024

An oldie but a goodie …….squark Ralph the Kàkàpō

24/11/2024

Spring flora and fauna in Bay of Plenty , North Island, Aotearoa New Zealand. Cycads , street art , Tuis in flax and Kingfisher ( Kōtare) on the fence
add colour and life to the atmosphere

20/11/2024

15/11/2024

Rahotu has great genes. We look forward to welcoming his next generation so he can continue this wonderful line.
Thanks for sharing Kākāpō Recovery.