Abandoned pet turtles ‘far more widespread than initially thought’

Two red-eared slider turtles – a hatchling and a more mature specimen. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod Visitors to Hamilton Gardens can go reptile spotting at Turtle Lake, but the red-eared slider turtles the lake is named after are a global pest that don’t belong in New Zealand’s waterways. The Global Invasive Species Group ranked … Read more

The Pinkbike Podcast: What Makes Your Bike YOURS

Can you choose your bike from a line? If so, how? Whether it’s a weird suspension setup, cockpit changes or just particular tires, we all have things that make our bikes.With a rotating cast of editorial team and other guests, the Pinkbike podcast is a weekly update on all the latest stories from the world … Read more

Fiji government revokes travel ban on former head of University of Fiji

Sushila Chang Photo: © Clarissa Lo A former head of Fiji’s university who was banned from returning to the country by the previous Bainimarama government has had his ban lifted. Shushila Chang, a former chancellor of the University of Fiji (UoF) in a bold move, had left during the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, violating … Read more

Growers losing money on asparagus offer travel vouchers to up demand

Photo file. Demand for asparagus is down 25 percent. Photo: RNZ/Susan Murray Asparagus growers are giving away travel vouchers worth thousands of dollars to help stimulate demand for the produce. They say that they lose money on every bunch of asparagus that is sold and they are also going back to the export market to … Read more

Woman’s ‘horrific abuse and violence’ towards pet dog condemned

The dog suffered multiple injuries over a period of weeks, according to a veterinarian Photo: Provided / SPCA A woman who threw her dog against a wall, breaking several bones and puncturing her lung, has been sentenced to community detention by the Porirua District Court and banned from owning dogs for three years. The SPCA, … Read more