Otorohanga Kiwi House

OTOROHANGA KIWI HOUSE
25 Alex Telfer Drive
Otorohanga
Phone – 07-873 7391
Opening Hours – 9am – 4.30pm
Self guided tours (includes daily feeding of Kiwi at 1:30pm, Kea & Kaka at 11am)


A while back my 6 year old daughter asked me a question.
Are Kiwi’s real ?
While my first reaction was to laugh (not out loud luckily), I suddenly realised that children see and hear about so many different things, that without seeing one for themselves, it must cross their minds that these ‘creatures’ could be make believe as well. I mean, if you haven’t seen a kiwi, it might as well be a dragon or a unicorn.
So it was about then that we decided that a trip to Otorohanga Kiwi House could be on the cards. It wasn’t too far to drive and we thought it would be a nice day out for the whole family.

First thing I really must mention, was that it was just so easy to find. With signs along the way, it was just a matter of following them and we arrived at our destination. Seeing how well it was signposted made me realise how proud of this attraction Otorohanga is, and they are proud with good reason.

You walk into the attraction and the first thing I noticed was that you are greeted with a smile and everyone is just so willing to help and offer information. That is a huge thing with me, and something that will always leave a lasting impression of a place. So thumbs up to the staff.

We had a brief look around the information room before heading towards the first stop which of course is the kiwi’s. I was over the moon to see one of the Kiwi’s at the very front of the enclosure and the girls were absolutely fascinated by this gorgeous NZ bird, so we spent a bit of time just watching. Unfortunately with a 2 year old anxious to be moving, we didn’t get as long as we would have liked.
Because of the time we arrived, we decided to walk towards the Kea & Kaka feeding as these are 2 of my favourite birds and 11am is feeding time. They just have so much personality and I could spend hours watching them.
I definately wasn’t disappointed – the keeper was prepared to offer information and answer questions. She was extremely patient with my girls and the questions they had. She also was able to offer tips about what to look for around the park, which resulted in some photos we may have missed out on.
Once the Kea & Kaka feeding was finished, we started to head around the park and I must say that I was totally impressed with how clean the park was. It was so nice to be walking around such a beautifully set out park, taking in the trees, the plants, the animals and just taking in the ‘experience’. Everything seemed relaxed, calm and tranquil. Totally loved that !!
Unfortunately we ended up leaving earlier than we had planned due to one of my girls not feeling 100% and I guess this is where my one negative comes in. Once you enter the park, there are no toilets until you get back around to the start, so perhaps a sign stating this when you walk in would be handy. With little children visiting, it would be nice to have at least 1 area with toilets half way around.Even though the park isn’t huge, a few steps can mean a world of difference to a child who needs to ‘go’

Over all though, I would rate the Otorohanga an 8/10 . It is definately worth taking the family (and camera) to and is just such a peaceful yet informative experience, while having the opportunity to see up close some animals that you might not otherwise have the chance to see.

 

Kiwi Display in the Information room

 

 

Spur-Winged Plover

• This recent Australian immigrant is extending its range in NZ.  It is a somewhat aggressive bird with a harsh call.  Locally, we call it the spur-winged plover.  In Australia it’s better known as the masked lapwing.

 

 

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Kaka

• The New Zealand Kaka is a medium sized parrot, measuring 45 cm (18 in) in length and weighing from 390 to 560 g (14 to 20 oz), with an average of 452 g (1.00 lb).[2] It is closely related to the Kea, but has darker plumage and is more arboreal. The forehead and crown are greyish-white and the nape is greyish-brown. The neck and abdomen are more reddish, while the wings are more brownish. Both sub-species have a strongly patterned brown/green/grey plumage with orange and scarlet flashes under the wings; color variants which show red to yellow coloration especially on the breast are sometimes found.

 

New Zealand Falcon

• Capable of flying at speeds over 100 km/h and catching prey larger than itself, the New Zealand falcon/kārearea (Falco novaeseelandiae) is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular birds.One of 38 species of falcon worldwide, the New Zealand falcon is endemic to this country.The falcon has a wide distribution, being found on both the North and South Islands and several offshore islands, including Stewart Island and the subantarctic Auckland Islands.

Tuatara

• Tuatara are lizard-like reptiles, with spines along their neck, back and tail. There are two species: the common tuatara, and the Brothers Island tuatara. They are the only survivors of an ancient lineage of reptiles – their ancestors lived alongside dinosaurs, over 220 million years ago..

 

Sitting on the Kiwi outside

Win a LeapFrog LeapPad 2

The #1  learning tablet  just  got  better!

The #1 learning tablet* just got better!

LeapPad2 inspires kids to create and explore with front-and-back cameras and video recorders, 4GB of memory, a faster processor and a library of 325+ game cartridges and downloadable apps.** Unlock your child’s imagination and potential with eBooks, videos, music, creativity studios, games and more!

5 Apps Included:
The LeapPad2 learning tablet comes with five apps that encourage creativity and non-stop learning fun.** Create and nurture your very own pet in Pet Pad, direct your own animated cartoons in the exclusive Cartoon Director app, learn and sing along to LeapFrog Learning Songs and make masterpieces in the interactive Art Studio. You can also select one of four popular apps to download free to your tablet!

So many ways to play:
Touch the screen with a finger to bring characters and words to life. Tap, draw and write with the stylus, or turn, twist and shake the tablet for exciting motion-based play! Videos and music add to the fun for endless engagement anywhere.

Buy cartridges or explore the App Center:
LeapPad2 works with a library of more than 325 game cartridges, apps, videos, music and more.** Shop at your favorite retailer for LeapFrog Explorer™ game cartridges, or expand the fun right from your home computer by downloading new adventures from the LeapFrog App Center, a library full of amazing educational and age-appropriate apps for kids!.

The highest-quality educational content:
LeapFrog learning apps and games are designed by educational experts, who create innovative, immersive experiences that keep kids challenged and inspired! From math and science to creativity and friendship, kids can explore hundreds of skills at just the right pace for them. Parents can even enter their child’s math sets and spelling lists into select games, for extra practice as they play

Experience a new way to read:
Characters spring to life with amazing animation, reading levels adjust the challenge to keep kids engaged and learning, while touching the text sounds out words to help build phonics, comprehension and vocabulary skills. Voice recording, motion-based play and other innovative features turn reading into an interactive experience as children progress through our new Learn to Read series and other exciting Ultra eBooks!

Imagine, Create and Share
With a new front-and-back camera and video recorder— plus 4 GB of memory—the sky’s the limit for creative play! Children can create masterpieces in the Art Studio, edit pictures they’ve taken in the Photo Studio and create, direct and narrate their own animated movies in the new included Cartoon Director app

Learn in Style – Everywhere
From fashionable skins and cases to kid-friendly headphones and more, choose from a range of accessories to make LeapPad2 your own. The AC Adapter and all-new Recharger Pack help extend the play, for endless fun and learning everywhere you go

MUMSreview & Planet Fun are offering you the chance to win a LeapFrog LeapPad2

How to Enter

• Comment on this post letting us know your OTHER favourite LeapFrog Products. (HINT: Check out the Planet Fun website HERE)
• Make sure you like the MUMSReview Facebook page  HERE

Terms & Conditions

• New Zealand Entries Only
• You must be likers of the Facebook page
• Competition runs from 15th October 2012 until 6pm 31st October 2012

Win Tickets to Finding Nemo 3D

Finding Nemo – 3D

 DISNEY•PIXAR

Academy Award®-winning Best Animated Feature “Finding Nemo” returns to the big screen for the first time ever in thrilling Disney Digital 3D™.
In this stunning underwater adventure, with memorable characters, humor and heartfelt emotion, “Finding Nemo” follows the comedic and momentous journey of an overly protective clownfish named Marlin (voice by Albert Brooks) and his son Nemo (voice by Alexander Gould)––who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from his ocean home and dumped into a fish tank in a dentist’s office.
Buoyed by the companionship of Dory (voice by Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly-but-forgetful Pacific regal blue tang, Marlin embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic effort to rescue his son––who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

• Genre:Animation/Comedy/Adventure
• NZ Rating: PG
• NZ Release Date: September 6, 2012
• Sunday 10am – 5pm

 

Notes:

•   “Finding Nemo” won the 2003 Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature.
•   The film won a Golden Globe® Award for Best Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy.
•   At the time of its release, “Finding Nemo” was the highest grossing G-rated movie of all time.
•   Ellen DeGeneres won an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance.
•   In 2008, The American Film Institute named “Finding Nemo” among the top 10 greatest animated films ever made.

Our Competition

MUMSreview  in conjunction with Disney, have  5 Double Passes to give away

To be in with a chance to win:

• Like the MUMSreview Facebook Page  HERE
• Post on a message on this BLOG entry telling us your favourite character from the movie
• Email your contact details, including name  (and blog name if different) and address to  competitions@mumsreview.co.nz

Terms and Conditions

• NZ Entry only
• Only ONE entry per household
• You MUST be a liker of the MUMSreview Facebook Page
• Entries close 11.59pm on September 2nd 2012
• Please make sure your emails contain your details – especially if you’d like your prize to find it’s way to you

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BRAVE Winners

 

 

Brave

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts. …
Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late

NZ Release Date: June 21, 2012

 

 

MUMSreview  and  Disney  had prize packs consisting of A BRAVE Messenger Bag, A BRAVE Key chain and A double in season pass to the movie

Our winners are

Jodi McLean
Sally Evans
Shaz Mathieson
Cathy Renolds
Melanie Peterson

Mothers Day Competition

Mother’s Day is a special day where mothers all around the world are recognised and celebrated. The celebration takes many forms from house to house, and country to country, but for the most part it is a day where mothers get the chance to put their feet up and be well and truly spoilt!
Mother’s Day has a number of origins around the world, and as each country recognizes Mother’s Day at a time which reflects their original festival, the actual date of celebration varies the world over. In New Zealand, Mother’s Day dates follow the United States origin, and is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. In 2012, Mother’s Day in NZ will be on 13 May.

 To Celebrate Mothers Day 2012

We are going to have a Mystery Box competition

All entries will go in the draw to win some great prizes but you wont know what they are
Each box will be allocated a number and no one will know what prize is in what box.

We have some awesome companies that are onboard with this
so I am sure that all our winners will come away happy

The Companies

Johnson’s

A couple of our mystery boxes will include goodies courtesy of the
amazing Johnson’s company.
Lucky Mums could be in to win a box containing one of each of the following:

     

New Zealand Natural
Lucky Mums could be in to win not one but four vouchers that can be redeemed on New Zealand Natural 946ml grocery packs at most major supermarkets
To find out more about New Zealand Natural’s promotions & news, check out their Facebook page:

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Ecostore
One of our mystery boxes will include goodies courtesy of the amazing Ecostore.
Lucky Mums could be in to win a box containing one of each of the following:

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Mixture
Lucky Mums could be in to win a box that has a MIXTURE of different goodies from different companies
With different things on offer, you could find treats from such companies as New Zealand Natural, Schick, Emotional Rescue and More.

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MUMSreview  are looking forward to sharing these amazing prizes and more as they get sorted 🙂

How to ENTER

1 – Be a MUMSreview Facebook Page liker
Link HERE

2 – Leave a message on our Blog telling us what your Mum means to you, or what being a Mum means to you

3 –  Email us your details so that if you are lucky enough to win, we can your package out to you
competitions@mumsreview.co.nz

Terms & Conditions

NZ Entry only
Competition runs from 11th May through to 10pm on 31st May and winners will be announced on our website
One entry per household
You must be a liker of the MUMSreview Facebook Page
Emails must contain your contact details so we can get your prizes (if you win) out to you

STOMPEEZ Winners !!!

Stompeez™ are the COMFY FUN slippers that will leave your kids eager to take their shoes off at the door!
They will be Stomp, Stomp, Stomping their way to fun in no time, because with each stamp of the foot, e foot, tompeas reveals the playful Stompies character on the face of your slippers

Stompeez are colourful!
Stompeez are soft!
Stompeez are fluffy!

Stompeez are also built to last and provide many STOMPING FUN NIGHTS!!!
Stompeez, “the slippers with PersonalityTM”! Let’s face it, the only fun thing about slippers for children is that some have cute animal faces that are warm and furry. However, for most kids slippers are never something they would even think of playing with and necessarily calling fun. All that has changed now that Stompeez are available on the market and ready to fit on your kid’s feet.

Stompeez are slippers with the personality and the fun that kids are looking for. They are comfy, colourful and can do some amazing tricks with just the step of your foot. Each Stompeez character will raise their head, their arms, or open their mouth when your child stomps around the house. Your child can bring these characters to life without really doing anything out of the ordinary, and their bright colours are sure to get the attention of any friends you child may invite over. What a truly fun and entertaining way to merely walk, stomp and jump around with.

MUMSreview and Planet Fun, had a pair of Stompeez for 10 lucky people to win

Check out sizing HERE

Our Winners were

Katy Prosser
Mary Legaspi
Colleen Wilkinson

Tess Kennard
Chrystal Steiner
Michelle.McMillan
Simon Allan
Kirsten Brown

Keri-Ann Thompson
Paula Dooge

 

Butterfly Creek Meet

March 26th 2012

If you are in Auckland,  then mark this date on your calendars to be
included in a fun day for all

When – March 26th 2012 – starting around 11am
Where – Butterfly Creek Function Room
Why – By popular demand we are finally making it to Auckland, and will have some amazing products to share with everyone
Who – Tickets will be limited

Interested ? – Because we know there is going to be a lot of interest in this event, we are asking that people wanting to come along email us at meets@mumsreview.co.nz  stating

1* Your name
2* The ages of your children

Some of the companies that will be there on the day

 

 

If you would like more information or if you are a company that would like to be involved – please email me at meets@mumsreview.co.nz

Win an amazing pair of STOMPEEZ – NOW CLOSED

Stompeez™ are the COMFY FUN slippers that will leave your kids eager to take their shoes off at the door!
They will be Stomp, Stomp, Stomping their way to fun in no time, because with each stamp of the foot, e foot, tompeas reveals the playful Stompies character on the face of your slippers

Stompeez are colourful!
Stompeez are soft!
Stompeez are fluffy!

Stompeez are also built to last and provide many STOMPING FUN NIGHTS!!!
Stompeez, “the slippers with PersonalityTM”! Let’s face it, the only fun thing about slippers for children is that some have cute animal faces that are warm and furry. However, for most kids slippers are never something they would even think of playing with and necessarily calling fun. All that has changed now that Stompeez are available on the market and ready to fit on your kid’s feet.

Stompeez are slippers with the personality and the fun that kids are looking for. They are comfy, colourful and can do some amazing tricks with just the step of your foot. Each Stompeez character will raise their head, their arms, or open their mouth when your child stomps around the house. Your child can bring these characters to life without really doing anything out of the ordinary, and their bright colours are sure to get the attention of any friends you child may invite over. What a truly fun and entertaining way to merely walk, stomp and jump around with.

MUMSreview and Planet Fun, have  a pair of Stompeez for 10 lucky people to win

All you have to do is watch the video above, and then email
stompeez@mumsreview.co.nz

with the answer to these easy questions

1 – Which Stompeez is your favourite character
2 – What size you would like to win

Terms & Conditions

NZ Entry only
One entry per household
Emails must contain your contact details so we can get your prizes (if you win) out to you
Competition starts 20th February 2012 and runs for 2 weeks, finishing on 10pm Monday 5th March 2012

Check out sizing HERE

Win Healthy Family Meals – made easy – Feb 10th Promotion

MUMSreview February Promotion
Day 10 – Healthy Family Meals – made easy
Recipe Book

The Healthy Food Guide philosophy

We know you are busy.
So we promise to make it easier to eat well, not harder.
We live in confusing times, with more product choice than ever. It sometimes seems that everything is good for you and everything is bad for you – it’s hard to know who to believe.
At Healthy Food Guide you will find accurate and unbiased information about healthy eating.
We give you simple answers to important questions on food and health.
Healthy Food Guide makes it easy and enjoyable to eat well and feel great.

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Healthy Family Meals – made easy
Recipe Book

Healthy Family Meals Made Easy is a collection of over 100 recipes from the popular Healthy Food Guide magazine
Whether you’re in a hurry or on a budget, Healthy Family Meals Made Easy makes it easy to enjoy healthy food every time. These recipes are delicious, simple and made with ingredients you’re sure to have in your cupboard
Healthy Family Meals includes a wide range of recipes, from satisfying salads to delicious main meals and enticing sweet treats.
Every recipe has been tried and tested by the team at Healthy Food Guide and given their expert seal of approval. Use the easy-to-understand icons to find recipes which suit your health needs. There is a selection of gluten-free, low fat, high-fibre and low-sodium options

To enter

Visit The Healthy Food Guide magazine Facebook page and like their page.
Make a comment just telling them you are a new liker (or existing)
(you do not have to mention MUMSreview)

Then go to their website, and find the answer to this easy question
Gluten Free Kids, mealtimes, takeaways and eating out,
name one way to avoid cross contamination at home
(hint – check out news/articles)

Email your answers to
competitions@mumsreview.co.nz
by 10pm on the 10th February 2012

Healthy Food Guide Magazine Website
Healthy Food Guide Magazine Facebook Page

Terms & Conditions of the Promotion

1* Each days competition starts at 10am on the relevant day. Entries before this will be void
2* Each days competition finishes at 10pm on the relevant day. Entries after this will be void
3* NZ Entries only
4* One entry per household.
5* Entries must contain contact details to make it easier for us to get your prize out to you if you should win.
If your email doesn’t have your contact  details, it will not be in the draw

Butterfly Creek

Website HERE

12 Tom Pearce Drive

Auckland Airport 2022
(09) 275 8880

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Australasia`s Premier Butterfly House
The butterflies are imported as pupae from butterfly farms all around the word, but primarily from Asia and Central America. The Butterfly House is temperature controlled to approximately 28 degrees C and with a high humidity so as to replicate the conditions of the butterflies’ natural environment.
Inside the tropical butterfly house, as well as the butterflies, you’ll see various turtles, quails, finches, a blue tongue lizard and water dragons as well as a variety of fish in the ponds.

However, Butterfly Creek is not just about Butterflies

They also have a:

Junior Keeper Programme
“GreenFingers” Bugs About
Tarantula Encounter
PLUS – you could hold that special birthday party here

On the 9th of January 2012, we set off to Butterfly Creek, despite the weather, and I am soooooooo glad did.
We were met in the Cafe by the amazing Katy (really nice to meet you finally) and the doors were opened into a world of delicate beauty.

OMG – the butterflies were just so amazing. You will see various colours flying everywhere, not to mention the range of sizes of these beautiful creatures. They will land on you quite happily, something that my twin girls absolutely loved (although they got a little upset they couldn’t bring one home)

There are platforms around the room with fruit and painted flowers (with sugar on) where the butterflies can also land so you can get some great photos. Plus the plants and flowers offer numerous landing spots for you to also get photos.
At 1.30 we were able to see another amazing little creature….the Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula. Now while I confess to being totally scared of spiders, they also hold a huge fascination for me. This guy was no different although I was pleased that it was Paul, the handler that was interacting with him, while I stood back and took photos. Paul was great and answered any questions the kids had, and was quite willing to show off this interesting tarantula.
After that, it was back to the butterflies. More colours, more photos as we continued the walk through the butterfly room.
Anyhow, next on the list to see were the Crocodiles. You walk through the doors (checking you have no butterfly visitors on your person) and you are taken to a totally different world. To step from a delicate world into one with monsterous crocodiles is quite a weird sensation, but none less amazing. To watch the handlers with the Crocs is great although we got to witness a tug of war that isn’t one I would particularly want to take part in. These creatures are huge, and when you see them snap at a piece of meat on a rope, you get a bit more of an idea of the pure brute strength these guys possess.
I think I’m quite happy to keep my distance !!!

From there we progressed to the Bug Room. From spiders to locusts, from cockroaches to wetas, there was something here for everyone (if you like bugs). Once again, even though I’m not a huge bug person, I do find it quite amazing at how these animals are literally put together, how they move etc
Holding around 5 (or was it 6) different types of tarantula along with all the other bugs my fascination was definately curbed for a while. But we did get some awesome photos and the kids found the bugs extremely interesting. Hmmmm what is it with kids and bugs ??

After we had finished with our fascination with the different creepy crawlies, we thought we would head off and see the Farm side of Butterfly Creek.
Once again, the rain wasn’t really a deterrent, everyone was just excited to see what was next…..and we weren’t disappointed.
With animals you can be hands on with, the kids were over the moon to be patting the likes of goats and donkeys but I think the real highlight for them was the bunnies. Small bunnies, big bunnies, fat bunnies, they had them all and the best thing of all was that (with supervision) the children could hold them, cuddle them, pat them and I know for my girls, who absolutely love animals, this was something that they thoroughly enjoyed. Ayla made a slight comment about the smell but let’s just say that she will never be a farmers wife…she likes things ‘just so’.  Personally we found the place lovely and clean (well clean for a farm environment) and I love that country smell.

From there, we made our way around to the  Red Admiral Express, in preparation for a ride around Butterfly Creek to see things from a different angle.
I think for Lucan, this was a TOTAL highlight. He’s a real boy and loves anything to do with trains so he loved being able to travel around, look out over everything and just generally enjoy himself. I loved watching him pointing at the different bits that we went past.

Then, it was time to think about heading home so we made our way to the Gift Shop to pick up a couple of souveniers (and find a couple that I plan on getting next time). I collect nice keyrings and found a lovely one there, whereas the kids all just wanted a little cup with Butterfly Creek on it.
Let me just say it was an amazing day that every member of our family enjoyed. I think the only negative I could come up with was that for Lucan (in the pushchair) he wasn’t able to see much in the butterflies…they were all just a bit high for him so all he was able to see was barriers and the odd butterfly that landed on one of the girls
Would I recommend Butterfly Creek to Mums ?
OH MY GOSH YES !!!
It’s not just an outing, it’s an experience. It’s a great family day out but the one advice I would have is make sure you have lots of space in your camera memory card…you’ll need it.

Thank you so much to Butterfly Creek for such a beautiful place to visit