Zealandia/Botanical Garden

On Thursday we headed up "the hill" by cable car to Zealandia. This 250-hectare natural area is completely surrounded by a predator proof fence. Native birds are free to fly in and out. There are some "zoo" exhibits, including a huge area for tuatara. Feeding stations for birds make in easy to see native birds, such as the kaka (parrot). There is large indoor interpretive area with displays and a depressing video that explains how man has destroyed New Zealand's wildlife. In our opinion, this would have been fine if they would have said more about all the positive efforts now to save wildlife. After a nice lunch we headed down the hill through the Botancial Garden. Loved seeing all the Monterey pines, brought there to see if they would have an economic value. Nice dinner on Cuba Street at Olive Restaurant.