This term the whole school focused on a project to do with the history of Newlands. Each student had to choose a topic and start their project. We also had to meet the success criteria for our project to be finished. I chose to do my Newlands project on how flora and fauna has changed over time in Newlands. I made 2 posters, one about the native birds we think were found in Newlands and one of all the predators that destroyed our forests and prey on these NZ native birds.

I also presented some writing about the research I did related to how we think the huia and the laughing owl became extinct. For the open evening, we had to display our work so our parents and caregivers could see what we had done. I displayed my Newlands Inquiry and my perspective art that I had been working on with Mrs Witty. I enjoyed working on the Newlands Project and look forward to more fun projects next term.

How Flora and Fauna has changed over time in Newlands.

We will never be 100% sure about what species of birds and plants would’ve been here in Newlands in the past, but based on what is still here today, we think there is a strong possibility that these NZ native birds and plants would’ve been found in and around Newlands before.

Some birds we think we might of found in Newlands:

Huia, Tui, Bellbird, Piwakawaka, Blackbird, Silvereye, Kereru, Morepork, Pukeko, Falcon, Rifleman, and The Laughing Owl.

We think these birds used to be here before because all of these birds are still seen around Newlands, as for the Huia bird, we know that they used to be around Newlands because there is a newly built park called Pukehuia park next to Newlands Primary School. Pukehuia Park is called Pukehuia, because there used to be lots of Huia birds around Newlands in the past before they got extinct. Some people have said that in their childhood days they used to hear alot of Huia birds songs from the forests and bushes.

Some plants we think that used to be in and around Newlands in the past are:

Rimu, Northern Rata, Tawa, Kohekohe, Kotukotutuku, Kawakawa, Ferns, Beech, Manuka, Kanuka, Mahoe, Ngaio, and Harakeke/Flax. These estimations are based off the plants and trees found in Newlands today.

Later in 1879 there were a lot of new animals ( mostly mammals) that got introduced to the whole of New Zealand. Some of the introduced animals were:

Possums, Red Deer, Feral Pig, Mouse, Rats, Stoats, Weasels, and Ferrets.

These animals play a big role in destroying our native forests and bushes and preying on our beautiful native birds. One of the biggest threats to our native birds are the Possums, Rats, and Stoats. These animals live on the diet of chicks and eggs. The introduced animals also are destroying our forests. Destroying the forests means that our vegetarian native animals will have less food sources. The deers and pigs are mostly known for ruining our greenery.

Introduced animals are one of the reasons that some of the native birds stated before have been extinct or are critically endangered.

Like the Huia Bird. The Huia Bird became extinct in 1907 because of predation by introduced animals, and to a lesser extent, human hunting. Partly why the Huia Bird got extinct was becaue of the hunting for the feathers to make cloaks.

Another amazing New Zealand native bird that has been declared as extinct is the Laughing Owl. Also know as the Ruru, Whekau, Whenua, and Hakoke. The Ruru became extinct in 1914. They became extinct due to introduced mammals and habitat loss.