Voluntee Fun: New Plymouth “little sister” Wiki enjoys her ultimate animal experience encounter kindly sponsored by Fiona Carson of Pouakai Zoo. Photo: Supplied
After being a volunteer for 18 months Nic Willis decided that she loved the Big Brother Big Sister programme so much she joined the team.
Miss Willis, of New Plymouth, has been matched with Wiki, 13, since April 2011 and thoroughly enjoys spending time with her “little sister”.
“I just like seeing Wiki grow up and see her confidence grow,” she said.
Some of the things they do together are as simple as walking the dog, doing some baking or heading to the Big Brother Big Sister clubrooms at the Tasman Club where they play darts, cards and board games.
“We just hang out and do everyday stuff,” she said.
Wiki has good supportive parents who wanted something extra for her.
MONKEY BUSINESS: New Plymouth’s Ethan Ritchie, 8, met Poppet the capuchin monkey during the school holidays as part of Pouakai Zoo’s Encounter Experience. Photo: Sharyn Smart
New Plymouth youngster Ethan Ritchie got to sample his dream job when he took part in Pouakai Zoo’s Encounter Experience over the holidays.
Interacting with the zoo’s blue tongue skinks Bluey and Sky, and its Australian bearded dragons Norbit and Spicktoria, impressed the eight-year-old the most.
“Holding Bluey was the best part of the day. They’re funny because they liked walking all over us.”
Pouakai Zoo’s owners Bart Hartley and Fiona Carson have been running the zoo keeper programme for three years.
“Some children asked if they could spend time helping out at the zoo in the holidays. It’s been really popular,” said Miss Carson.
The zoo offers a half-day “Encounter Experience” for $35 and a full day option for $50.
After a briefing with Miss Carson the five junior zoo keepers in Ethan’s group were ready to be introduced to the zoo’s animals.
And with his “staff” tag hanging around his neck Ethan was eager to get to work.
First Poppet, a 2-and-a-half-year-old capuchin monkey, visited them in a portacom where he climbed all over them, before beginning to pull posters off the wall.
“Poppet was crazy when he jumped on my head,” said Ethan of the mischievous monkey.
The young zoo keepers were also able to feed the zoo’s white tigers Kal, Azra and Anila.
“It was great fun and I can’t wait to do it again,” Ethan said who was doing the zoo keeper experience for the second time.
This article was published in the North Taranaki Midweek on Wednesday August 7, 2013
