iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Transferred 9+ years of photos off my phone. These pics capture the beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand & my passion for our natural history 🌱💚

A montage of 25 photos, each showing a hand holding either flowers, lots of red berries, leaves, a green pūriri moth, enormous dragonfly, blue birds egg, shells. It captures some of the beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Watched the karakia & farewelled our beloved popoiangore leopard seal visitor. Wrote about finding her: www.facebook.com/share/p/1DKM...

A group of people wearing protective clothing saying karakia (prayers) around the deceased leopard seal

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

@fromthemorgue.bsky.social She didn’t make it 😞 DOC knows & will conduct a postmortem

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Just received this reply from Hutt Valley High School after expressing disappointment that they have stayed quiet about Influenza A that is surging through the school. Our 13-yr-old was v ill, even though vaccinated. Silence is an utterly shit response.

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The Wellkiwis Influenza A results this week are scary. Doesn’t have my kid in there yet who tested positive on Thursday & even with vaccination she’s pretty unwell. Mask up people #nz #wellkiwis #flu

A graph that shows a huge spike in Influenza A cases in our Wellkiwis flu study

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Visited my second cousin today who is going to be 102 in a couple of weeks. She told me how she used to pick apricots off her uncle’s tree in Aro Street as a child & then we had a conversation about how she’s older than Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore.

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Really sad to read @krystlef’s death notice in today’s paper. She was such a beacon of light and fun here, and in the days of old twitter. Sending aroha to her whānau & friends

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Bishop’s memoir is going to be wild #nzpol

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Oh Whaea, that is awful. We were some of the 10,000 people who enjoyed Te Ara Tupua on its open day - the energy and smiles of everyone there was awesome. Hope that Sam can feel the huge aroha for his incredible artworks ❤️

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Didn’t Todd rave about ‘Grapes of Wrath’ in last year’s speech (with its themes of social injustice?!) Didn’t think his speeches could get any weirder, yet here we are…

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Congratulations Elizabeth - such a stunning pukapuka!

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Given the amount of public speaking he must do, I expected Paul Goldsmith to be a much better speaker. That was just atrocious.

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

@theobrominated.bsky.social Woohoo, first book award! Congrats - cheering from Pōneke!! Loving the launch of your new career 😆

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

How good! (Not so good for the old blood pressure, but so amazing!!) Back home now warming up

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Reposted by Catherine

Kay in the End Times 🏳️‍🌈 💗💜💙📚 @jennykaynz.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

#NZvoters please remember the vulnerability of our ecosystems when you cast your votes on 7 November 2026! Wetlands are not only homes to endangered species, they're also flood protection. Wetlands protect neighbouring areas from rain and flood overflows. 🌊🌱🌿🦗🐸 #NZpol

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Reposted by Catherine

Paula Green @paulajoygreen.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Calling all children in Aotearoa who love writing poems - Poetry Box launches with a Giselle Clarkson review and bird poem challenge - I will write back. I will give away books nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com/2026/04/23/p...

nzpoetrybox.wordpress.com

Poetry Box Giselle Clarkson review and poem challenge: Birds

what do you see? Poetry Box is back online for 2026 I missed you all! I missed reading poems by and for children and celebrating children’s books in Aoteroa New Zealand. This year I aim to po…

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Finally got my UK passport! Only took 3 months & cost NZD$1,200 🥴

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Buy a ticket to our talk ‘𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀’ at Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival & go in the draw to 𝐖𝐈𝐍 a signed book + a tote bag! www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/groundw...

Photos of the book ‘Groundwork: The art and writing of Emily Cumming Harris’ and its authors Michele and Catherine; and photos of a tote bag featuring botanical images of pink puriri berries and blue dianella berries by Emily Harris

Text that reads: Buy a ticket to 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀 and go in the draw to 𝐖𝐈𝐍 a signed copy of the book plus a tote bag! Groundwork is a luscious tribute to Emily Cumming Harris, one of New Zealand's most significant botanical artists. Join authors 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁 and 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱-𝗗𝗼𝗱𝗴𝘀𝗼𝗻 (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Te Aitanga a Māhaki) as they discuss their remarkable collaboration while bringing Emily's work and enduring legacy to life right before your eyes. Book your ticket now and be in to win this special prize.

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

My UK passport application has finally been approved. Only taken 3 months & NZD$520. I’ll believe it when it’s in actually in my hand…

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Just finished watching Mackenzie Crook’s tv show ‘Small Prophets’. So gorgeous. Think I like it even more than ‘The Detectorists’, if that is possible. Killer soundtrack too

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

The details and artwork in Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui are incredible. Such a warm, light-filled & welcoming space. So happy the library is open again! #wellington #library

The end of a bookshelf, which has been decorated with colourful butterflies

A green pūriri moth, part of a wall decoration

The children’s space in the library. There is a large floor cushion and the wall is decorated with a fungi design

Artwork by Darcy Nicholas: four bright, glowing panels of yellow and pink depicting wāhine, with blue sky and clouds above them

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Needed a brain break, so today we went to find Raupeka / Earina autumnalis / Easter orchids in the hills above Wainuiomata. We could smell the orchids before we could see them - there was an incredible cloud of perfume all around us, similar to vanilla.

A hand holding a stem of tiny white orchid flowers, which almost look like stars

A woman holding a stem of orchids up to her face. She is smiling because she is enjoying the fragrance

A bank covered in white-flowering orchids

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

They’re not making it easy for me… now on my third lot of documents to post. Had to write a statement about how I travelled from UK to NZ as a baby. Guess it looks like I was kidnapped or something.

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Thank god. This is one of the most valuable things in our house - written to my daughter in 2017

Letter that reads: ‘27.3.17
Dear Poppy,
Thank you very much for your letter. I am so glad you enjoy my programme. I liked your drawings of your silkies very much.
Best wishes
David Attenborough’

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

They received mine yday, am hoping for swift printing. Was not a fan of having to post my original birth certificate! And now I have to repeat process for my kids 🤞

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Thanks for your kind words @clairemabey.bsky.social! Such beautiful books in the Longlist, so chuffed to be in such excellent company 📚

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

@theobrominated.bsky.social Congrats on the long list - nice to see we’re in good company! 🌱🌸🌿

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Whakaoriori Masterton gives good sunset after a day of extraordinary rain.

Three people standing on long golden grass looking up at pink clouds in the sky, set against dark rainclouds in the distance

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Metrosideros excelsa ‘Aurea’. Trees are still flowering in Normandale, Lower Hutt 💛

Close up photo of yellow pōhutukawa flowers

A yellow-flowering pōhutukawa tree reaching out over the edge of a road

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

For those (rightly) upset at FluTacking not continuing, consider joining WellKiwis: www.wellkiwis.co.nz Since 2017 it has helped me understand what viruses are around - esp helpful when my partner was going through chemo

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Reposted by Catherine

Andy McKay @korimakoecology.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Wellington Natural Heritage Trust needs your help to secure one of Wellington City's last remaining tracts of old-growth native forest. The 71 hectare property is in South Mākara. Kiwi have moved in already. It will flourish with effective pest control! givealittle.co.nz/org/wellingt...

givealittle.co.nz

Wellington Natural Heritage Trust

We need your help to secure one of Wellington City's last remaining tracts of old-growth native forest. It's an absolute gem!

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

This morning I went on a rātā-viewing walk run by the Wellington Botanical Society & the tree outside St Paul’s Church on Waiwhetu Road is *incredible*! Well worth a visit if you’re obsessed with Metrosideros robusta

A huge Northern rātā tree in full bloom, with clusters of bright red flowers

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

I have a collection of her hand-coloured books here in Pōneke Wellington - would love to show them to you if you’re ever around these parts 😊

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

I spy 3 Emily Cumming Harris hand-coloured lithographs 😆

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Are you searching for a great Christmas present for the #Aotearoa art lover or natural history enthusiast in your life? Our pukapuka explores #colonialhistory, #women’shistory, #botanicalart, #comets, #NZpoetry & #eclipses

An image comprising three photographs, each of a hand holding the book ‘Groundwork: The art and writing of Emily Cumming Harris’ set against different coloured metrosideros flowers: bright red rātā, pink pōhutukawa and yellow pōhutukawa

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Aw thanks so much Sue! 🥰

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Tonight we’re giving an author talk at Unity Books Wellington at 6pm! Our presentation features our favourite research moments, artwork by Emily Cumming Harris & we're bringing our collection of rare hand-coloured books from the 1890s to display. www.facebook.com/share/1FN2pX...

Book cover of ‘Groundwork: The art and writing of Emily Cumming Harris’ and text advertising a free author talk at Unity Books, Wellington, 6pm, Wednesday 26 November

11 lithograph books from 1890 laid on a table. Some of the botanical plates have been hand-coloured by Emily Harris using watercolour paints

A delicate sketch of a brown butterfly perched on a stem of forget-me-not-flowers, with handwritten text above & below it. This card is dated 1826 and is pasted in a Georgian and Victorian scrapbook that belonged to Emily Cumming Harris’s aunt, who lived in England.

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

My sister has long covid & had to give up her job a few years ago. She’s started making & selling sweet little peg angels & prints: felt.co.nz/shop/mrs-mac ❤️ #christmasnz #secretsanta #handmade #aotearoachristmas

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

The yellow pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa ‘Aurea’) behind Chaffers New World in Wellington is in full bloom. Covered in bees this morning 💛

A yellow flowering pōhutukawa tree in bloom with the fire station building behind it

Close up of the fuzzy yellow flowers in bloom on a pōhutukawa tree

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Walked up to the stopbank after seeing your post, thanks!

A sunset, with golden sky on the horizon and waves of pink cloud above

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Grew a rainbow of aquilegia 🌈

A hand holding a bunch of aquilegia flowers that range in colour from pink, red, yellow, pale yellow, lilac and dark purple

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

New Plymouth people - Michele & I are giving a talk about some of our book research highlights. 6pm, Wed 5 Nov, Taranaki Research Centre. Come say hi! #taranaki #botanicalart #newplymouth

The book ‘Groundwork: The art and writing of Emily Cumming Harris’ held up in front of Taranaki Mounga, which has white snow on its peak

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Was excited to come across these elegant pressed fern specimens in a file I looked through today, c.late 1800s/early 1900s. But I miss the time when I could order a file from NZ Archives & view it 45 mins later. Takes 3 days now.

An arrangement of different-coloured dried ferns on a page, spread out like the rays of a sun

An arrangement of different-coloured dried ferns on a page, spread out in different directions, with the tallest specimen in the middle pointing upwards

A striking arrangement of different-coloured dried ferns on a page. They are centred around a middy-type specimen in the centre

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

I’ve been searching for the kōwhai pattern for years - that is such an incredible score! 😍

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Tautoko that. Hope that Mele Tonga-Grant stays in too, only 1 vote ahead. Local elections are such a weird mixed bag

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Mostly good results eh, though I do not understand who keeps voting for Barratt and *far* too many people voted for Levy

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Catherine @deleifd.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Such a stunning pukapuka! Am at the launch at Unity Books for ‘He Puāwai’ by @theobrominated.bsky.social 🌸🌼🪻Perfect Christmas present

3 copies of the book ‘He Puāwai’ with beautiful coloured flowers on the front cover

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