Here in Tauranga Bay just 40 minutes north from Kerikeri in the Far North, I discovered one of the best spots in New Zealand for camping. Beautiful, clean, golden sandy beaches with amazing views of all the islands in the bay. Within minutes, I spotted about a hundred giant swan plants (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) as I’ve … Continue reading Tauranga Bay – Monarch butterfly paradise in Northland.
Blog
Are we no longer the Garden City?
For decades Christchurch has been known internationally as ‘The Garden City’ but it appears that this is now being seriously questioned. How can each one of us make a difference? Whilst at my local Mitre10 Megastore I noticed that my Monarch Butterfly books were placed next to the Christchurch Press. Feeling proud, I took a … Continue reading Are we no longer the Garden City?
What pre-schoolers experience while learning about Monarch Caterpillars
Children feel great joy as well as gaining heaps of knowledge from learning about and observing the metamorphosis of the Monarch butterfly. They learn to care and show empathy towards the animal kingdom. They are drawn to the monarchs as they are harmless yet beautiful creatures, and caterpillars are not too creepy for them, or … Continue reading What pre-schoolers experience while learning about Monarch Caterpillars
Project Swan Plant 4000
This Spring 2018 will be even bigger this year as I'm taking this project Nationwide - creating hubs around the country and getting as many schools on board sowing swan plant seeds for their butterfly gardens, and caring for the swan plants before they are big enough to be exposed. This was so successful in … Continue reading Project Swan Plant 4000
Overwintering Parks in NZ
The overwintering stage in New Zealand starts in April or May. This is when swarms of Monarch butterflies form regularly to overwinter at places around the country. On warm sunny winter days, when temperatures are over 16 degrees, you get to see a few monarchs gliding around looking for nectar nearby. Although, most of the … Continue reading Overwintering Parks in NZ
My Journey to my book Launch
My book launch wasn’t about a night of plugging or selling my book. It was a night to celebrate how anyone CAN DO what I pulled off at the end of 2016. About how I didn’t really see this book coming until six months before it was actually in my hands, “An Educational Guide on … Continue reading My Journey to my book Launch
The Children – Our future Butterfly Musketeers
The day of my private official book launch I received a large envelope full of thank you letters from the children of Waimairi school, here in Christchurch. It was so touching for me as this was a very special day and brought tears to my eyes when I read through them all. I know that … Continue reading The Children – Our future Butterfly Musketeers
Purchase my Book here
New book: An Educational Guide on Monarch butterflies
My Journey | How it all started with me and the Monarch butterflies
I'm Maria Romero. This passion for Monarch butterflies started back in 2010, just before the devastating earthquake in Christchurch. I remember discovering my first swan plants at a Playcentre I went to with my children. There was a science table with eggs and caterpillars on the plant.
