Critter of the Week

It's Friday afternoon, and Radio New Zealand host Jesse Mulligan is gearing up for another instalment of "Critter of the Week." Jesse, alongside Nicola Toki, has been delving into the depths of New Zealand's wildlife since late 2015, shedding light on the obscure and overlooked species that call this island nation home.

Nicola Toki, once the Department of Conservation's Threatened Species Ambassador and now the head of Forest & Bird, is a staunch advocate for the lesser-known inhabitants of Aotearoa. Each week, she joins Jesse to champion species that often fly under the radar, despite their critical importance to the ecosystem.

Nicola Toki and Jesse Mulligan in the studio for Friday’s Critter of the Week. Image supplied, RNZ

Despite its name, "Critter of the Week" isn't just about animals. Plants and fungi also take the spotlight, with each species receiving an "attractiveness" score ranging from 1 to 10. From the quirky New Zealand bat fly to the enigmatic Smeagol gravel maggot, over 300 species have had their moment in the spotlight, thanks to this program.

But Critter of the Week isn't just about raising awareness. It's about taking action too. Each year, they support a range of fund-raising efforts. In 2023, Jesse and Nicola teamed up with Joyya to create a gorgeous Critter of the Week T-shirt, with $5 from every tee sold put aside to help not-for-profit groups around the country helping local critters to thrive.

Critter of the Week Tee 2023, Mangaone Gully, Tamahere, photo credit A Ewing

Thanks to a pitch by Amanda Banks, one of our committee members, Predator Free Tamahere has been one of the groups to benefit from the 2023 fundraising Tees, which was announced just before Christmas - the perfect Xmas gift! We’re really stoked to receive this support which has gone towards funding an NZautotrap destined for a local Tamahere gully to increase our long-tailed bat and native bird protection efforts.

So, tune in every Friday from 1 to 4 pm on RNZ to catch Critter of the Week in action. Join Jesse Mulligan and Nicola Toki as they explore the hidden treasures of New Zealand's flora and fauna, one critter at a time.