News & Events - Napier, Hawke's Bay

Sadly the National Aquarium's beloved Izzy the crocodile died on Wednesday 28 July 2010.

 

Izzy had previously shown no signs of ill health, leaving our staff puzzled by her abrupt death. As you can imagine, the staff and family at the aquarium are devastated by the loss of our friend, who has been a resident at the aquarium for just over 20 years.

 

Izzy has been such a big part of the aquarium for a long time, so naturally we are all feeling the loss. Izzy came to us as a baby crocodile around 20 years ago so is a key member of our aquarium family. Not only are we clearly feeling the loss today, but so will many of our visitors who always loved to see Izzy during their visits.

 

Over the winter months Izzy goesinto a stage of semi-hibernation, being placid and quieter than normal, however there have been no signs of anything wrong to prepare us for this sudden loss.

A specialist veterinarian has een called in to undertake a post-mortem to establish the cause of death. However, it is expected to be some time before it is known whether that can be determined.

 

 

 

 

Watch closely each week for a new Fascinating Fact about the residents at the National Aquarium of New Zealand. There will be a new Fascinating Fact advertised about a different animal, fish or reptile for the next 11 weeks! Look in the Napier & Hastings Mail or listen to Martin and Sarah on breakfast weekdays at 7:45am on Classic Hits 89.5.

 

 

 

Visit the aquarium between 19 July and 3 October, find the answer to the quiz question about the animal, fish or reptile featured that week and enter the draw to win a day jam packed with adventure.

 

Find out more...
  

 

The National Aquarium of New Zealand has great pleasure in announcing the winners of the Seaweek Poetry Competition for 2010. Winners were announced at the Poetry Reading Evening held at the Aquarium on Thursday, 11 March. 

 

This year’s theme for Seaweek was fish for the future which recognises the importance of New Zealand’s precious marine environment and how we enjoy it and look after it for generations to come.

 

There were five different categories; three school (Primary, Intermediate and Secondary), adult and Te Reo.

 

The winners are:

 

Primary:	1st	Billie-Joe  Greening	Secondary:	HC	Hayden Calder
	2nd	Zarah Otto	Te Reo:	1st	Wiremu Maurirere
	3rd	Kade Blakeley		2nd	Horiana Johns
	HC	Daniel Wesley		3rd	Himemaia Takarua
	HC	Daisy Bassett-Foss		HC	Hinemoana Pardoe
	HC	Louisa Mason		HC	Charley Grey
Intermediate:	1st	Keeta Chapman-Smith	Adult:	1st	Diedre Thorsen-lavery
	2nd	Roimata Panap-Fraser		2nd	Rose Whittaker
	3rd	Issy Loughran		3rd	Emily Otto
	HC	Grace Wiggins		HC	Dennis Hargreaves
	HC	Kizie Livesey		HC	Emily Otto

 

 

The creation of this new display is due to the generous donation by Invercargill coral collector Clif Carson, who gifted his beloved collection to us in May.

 

The collection is extensive and is made up of some rare species which Mr Carson acquired over a ten year period. It contains a variety of hard and soft corals from all over the world.

 

A new purpose built three metre acrylic tank has been designed and constructed to house the new collection and is located on the first floor of our building, next to the existing marine exhibit.

 

Specialist equipment has been made or bought to maintain the coral closely to its natural habitat including a specialist lighting and filtration system.

 

Coral are a very delicate organism and there is a very fine balance between survival and non survival. They require specialist care to ensure they survive in captivity. Hence Mr Carson's decision to gift his coral to us where they will receive the attention that will help them to survive and thrive.

 

Then new coral display will be on permanent display for everyone to enjoy!

 

To open the new coral display, children of all ages were invited to enter a colouring competition to colour the coral. For doing so, children were rewarded with free entry to the aquarium on the weekend of 7th & 8th November and given a gift of a goodie bag.

Over 800 children brought in their vibrant coral competition forms during this weekend and after much debate 11 winners in a variety of categories and ages were announced.

 

The overall 'Coraltastic' colouring competition winner is nine-year-old Lana Armand from Napier.

 

 

 

 

 

      

Stay in 4-star-plus accommodation and visit five top attractions all for only $500*
 

For more information or to make a reservation, contact: Bookings Officer, Kennedy Park Top 10 Resort, Storkey Street, Napier.

 

Phone 0800 457 275 or email us.

 

*Offer valid for 2 nights for 2 adults and up to 3 children aged 14 years and under.