Te Rakau Birding & Cabins

So that’s a wrap. We farewelled our last guests over ANZAC weekend and the Cabins are now quiet.
The birds are still singing and might miss all the extra attention.
We have loved meeting so many new people from all over NZ and many international visitors who, like us, are passionate about the Manu and the environment.
So now it’s time to pack up our personal belongings and make a new life in Martinborough.

Yep that’s us so things are beginning to wind down here at Te Rakau. We will host our last guests over Anzac weekend.

Amid international turmoil life goes on at Te Rakau. Now that the birds have finished nesting it’s hedge trimming time. Here is the head gardener in action. and some views of the finished look

Another happy group of cyclists/birdwatchers leaving Te Rakau at the weekend. Lovely to have you to stay and glad you enjoyed our patch of paradise.

Be very aware if you are planning cycling around the coast on Sunday or Monday

Finally some action, a bit of cold weather and some fish bait brought a large male cat in that I have been trying to catch for a while and also changed the rat bait from peanut butter to salami and bingo caught Mr Rattie as well. The birds are happy this morning!

We wish all our guests, friends and families a very Merry Xmas and happy holiday season. Take time to enjoy our manu and our fabulous plants.

Here’s Ruby our donkey and Barney our sheep saying goodbye to guests Phil and Angie Flanagan. Thanks for the photo which they took. Enjoy your day

🐦 Voting is still open for Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year 2025! This year, make sure you cast your vote for the majestic, mysterious, magical matuku!

Why back the bittern?

🥷 Ninja of the wetlands – With epic camouflage and a freeze stance, matuku can disappear right before your eyes. Who wouldn’t want to support a bird with hide-and-seek skills like that?

📢 Master Boomer – Ever heard a bird that sounds like a distant foghorn? That’s the matuku! Who doesn’t love a bird that can rock a subwoofer?

🕴️ Tall, dark, and handsome – Elegant posture, sleek plumage… the James Bond of the bird world. Vote matuku and add a touch of class to your birdwatching adventures!

🏡 Respectful neighbours – These beautiful bittern aren't going to sneak into your house and fly around like some other birds we know 👀. They respect your boundaries by staying in their preferred habitat, the wetlands.

💚 Endangered elegance – With numbers declining, the matuku needs all the love it can get. Voting for this majestic bird helps raise awareness and support conservation efforts. Plus, who wouldn’t want to help save a rare and regal species?

Vote matuku-hūrepo / Australasian bittern for Bird of the Year 2025 and show some love for Aotearoa’s wetlands! 🌿

Love Bittern Bittern Conservation - New Zealand Vote for Matuku . The elusive Bittern

Some colour starting to appear at Te Rakau. Now we need some sunshine!