Cilla Wehi
@cillaw.bsky.social
Here for isotopes, curiosity, community. Also human ecological relationships. Co- Director Te Pūnaha Matatini national centre of research excellence in complex systems, AoNZ. HB2. Hapainga te reo Māori. https://priscillawehi.com
Here’s my response to the NZ government shakeup of science funding today, on top of their reductions in bluesky funding and lack of accountability for climate issues. 🧪
We need urgent action on what the SSAG report describes as a fragile and chronically underfunded research system.
We need urgent action on what the SSAG report describes as a fragile and chronically underfunded research system.
October 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Here’s my response to the NZ government shakeup of science funding today, on top of their reductions in bluesky funding and lack of accountability for climate issues. 🧪
We need urgent action on what the SSAG report describes as a fragile and chronically underfunded research system.
We need urgent action on what the SSAG report describes as a fragile and chronically underfunded research system.
Sampling sediments on Lake Owhareiti on a still hot day today in the north of #NZ, and some rich conversations with Ngāti Hine. What a crew! This community are hugely interested in the work. 🧪
October 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Sampling sediments on Lake Owhareiti on a still hot day today in the north of #NZ, and some rich conversations with Ngāti Hine. What a crew! This community are hugely interested in the work. 🧪
A wonderful day in the north meeting Ngāti Hine whānau and prepping for fieldwork. Te mana o te wai. I just wish it was a little warmer 😂
October 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
A wonderful day in the north meeting Ngāti Hine whānau and prepping for fieldwork. Te mana o te wai. I just wish it was a little warmer 😂
In a complicated world, let me share my joy in a #NZ endemic frog species (Leiopelma) with no external eardrums, after 6 nights of catching frogs on a remote island. 🧪
September 27, 2025 at 5:38 AM
In a complicated world, let me share my joy in a #NZ endemic frog species (Leiopelma) with no external eardrums, after 6 nights of catching frogs on a remote island. 🧪
Out with the #frogs, Justin, and Jen in a rainstorm in #NZ. We ID and measure these Hamilton’s frogs to estimate population via mark- recapture. We want them to survive for the next 1000 years - and catching a 40 year old frog or #pepeketua is always a buzz! #treeclimbing #terrestrial #40yearstudy 🧪
September 21, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Out with the #frogs, Justin, and Jen in a rainstorm in #NZ. We ID and measure these Hamilton’s frogs to estimate population via mark- recapture. We want them to survive for the next 1000 years - and catching a 40 year old frog or #pepeketua is always a buzz! #treeclimbing #terrestrial #40yearstudy 🧪
Strategising our work, and working together in the time we have at @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social during chaotic times. Stay focused and enjoy the company of friends.
#research #excellence #NZ
#research #excellence #NZ
September 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Strategising our work, and working together in the time we have at @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social during chaotic times. Stay focused and enjoy the company of friends.
#research #excellence #NZ
#research #excellence #NZ
Just quietly steaming away over workplace BS. Also, a wonderful winter day in Dunedin and a scrumptious morning tea at the Centre for Sustainability. Some real contenders here for Best Chef.
July 23, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Just quietly steaming away over workplace BS. Also, a wonderful winter day in Dunedin and a scrumptious morning tea at the Centre for Sustainability. Some real contenders here for Best Chef.
So he tipu ka hua funding is not progressing in 2025. From the MBIE webpage.
June 5, 2025 at 7:10 PM
So he tipu ka hua funding is not progressing in 2025. From the MBIE webpage.
May 8, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Even the food is great! Vegetarian for sustainability :). #TeTiraMaurikura @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social
March 18, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Even the food is great! Vegetarian for sustainability :). #TeTiraMaurikura @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social
What a pleasure to be here with our developing researcher group Te Tira Maurikura, co- creating an inaugural wānanga and thought space so @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social can help train ethical, collaborative researchers for the future benefit of NZ. Ka wani kē.
March 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
What a pleasure to be here with our developing researcher group Te Tira Maurikura, co- creating an inaugural wānanga and thought space so @tepunahamatatini.bsky.social can help train ethical, collaborative researchers for the future benefit of NZ. Ka wani kē.
A deeper state of relaxation that allows connection between ideas, creativity, and rebuilding. The sea and lapping of the tide is a balm before the academic year begins again. I feel lucky. #Aotearoa
January 12, 2025 at 10:43 PM
A deeper state of relaxation that allows connection between ideas, creativity, and rebuilding. The sea and lapping of the tide is a balm before the academic year begins again. I feel lucky. #Aotearoa
A few caveats : translocations can restore species, and revitalise human-wildlife connections and relationships, but past habitat (e.g. food) may be very different from what exists now. So it isn't always easy, even when people want the return of once loved species. 8/n
Photo: Noel Chignall
Photo: Noel Chignall
December 20, 2024 at 10:16 PM
A few caveats : translocations can restore species, and revitalise human-wildlife connections and relationships, but past habitat (e.g. food) may be very different from what exists now. So it isn't always easy, even when people want the return of once loved species. 8/n
Photo: Noel Chignall
Photo: Noel Chignall
Where does this leave us? Historical sources like place names can help identify where to rebuild future populations, based on where kākā used to live and also where they mattered to local people. Translocations can restore biocultural relationships 7/n #kaitiakitanga
Photo: Kate M.
Photo: Kate M.
December 20, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Where does this leave us? Historical sources like place names can help identify where to rebuild future populations, based on where kākā used to live and also where they mattered to local people. Translocations can restore biocultural relationships 7/n #kaitiakitanga
Photo: Kate M.
Photo: Kate M.
What was the chat? Kākā ecology, abundance, harvesting are discussed in early newspapers, magazines and journals. Bear in mind, though, that these sources have a set of biases that we discuss at length in the paper. 6/n
December 20, 2024 at 10:06 PM
What was the chat? Kākā ecology, abundance, harvesting are discussed in early newspapers, magazines and journals. Bear in mind, though, that these sources have a set of biases that we discuss at length in the paper. 6/n
We explored a digital archive of 19th and 20th century newspapers, magazines and journals to see what kinds of information were recorded about kākā. As it turns out, lots. We focused on three decades - read why we chose these decades in the paper tinyurl.com/53vse3hv 5/n
December 20, 2024 at 9:59 PM
We explored a digital archive of 19th and 20th century newspapers, magazines and journals to see what kinds of information were recorded about kākā. As it turns out, lots. We focused on three decades - read why we chose these decades in the paper tinyurl.com/53vse3hv 5/n
Place names tell stories: about where kākā were historically present, & about relationships with people in those places. We compared place name data with the current distribution of kākā, using iNaturalist (thanks @jonsullivan.bsky.social) & IUCN data. Some big differences! 4/n
December 20, 2024 at 9:55 PM
Place names tell stories: about where kākā were historically present, & about relationships with people in those places. We compared place name data with the current distribution of kākā, using iNaturalist (thanks @jonsullivan.bsky.social) & IUCN data. Some big differences! 4/n
Are topographical names useful for identifying places with strong past human relationships, and therefore potential sites for translocation? We filtered names from the LINZ database.
Meantime, Fin also hung out with the kākā at #Zealandia alongside collaborator @wild-minds.bsky.social 3/n
Meantime, Fin also hung out with the kākā at #Zealandia alongside collaborator @wild-minds.bsky.social 3/n
December 20, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Are topographical names useful for identifying places with strong past human relationships, and therefore potential sites for translocation? We filtered names from the LINZ database.
Meantime, Fin also hung out with the kākā at #Zealandia alongside collaborator @wild-minds.bsky.social 3/n
Meantime, Fin also hung out with the kākā at #Zealandia alongside collaborator @wild-minds.bsky.social 3/n
Need a little fun as we near Christmas? Here's something for you! We had a heap of fun writing about place names and kākā - cheeky #NZ parrots - and it's out. The work evolved over 2 summers, led by (then) undergraduate student Fin Johnson (on the right). 1/n
(Kaka photo copyright Oscar Thomas).
(Kaka photo copyright Oscar Thomas).
December 20, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Need a little fun as we near Christmas? Here's something for you! We had a heap of fun writing about place names and kākā - cheeky #NZ parrots - and it's out. The work evolved over 2 summers, led by (then) undergraduate student Fin Johnson (on the right). 1/n
(Kaka photo copyright Oscar Thomas).
(Kaka photo copyright Oscar Thomas).
Welcome Rob! Love the desert. Here’s a spot near my place in Aotearoa NZ today.
November 17, 2024 at 3:27 AM
Welcome Rob! Love the desert. Here’s a spot near my place in Aotearoa NZ today.
