The Langham, Auckland’s "Guests of the Earth" environmental programme is dedicated to preserving our environment for the benefit of future generations. As part of our commitment to this project and to sustainability in New Zealand, they have introduced a native weta habitat to the hotel.

This environment is designed to showcase one of New Zealand’s iconic and indigenous species, the weta, for your viewing and educational pleasure and to ensure this unique insect continues to be a valuable part of the New Zealand eco-system for many more centuries to come.

In our "Wetarium" located outside the hotel lobby in Greys Courtyard you will find a male and female Auckland Tree Wetas in residence.

WETA FACTS

• The Auckland Tree Weta or Weta Putangatanga in Maori, is an insect and member of the cricket and grasshopper family. Weta predate the dinosaur and have changed very little in the past 100 million years.

• Weta are one of New Zealand’s indigenous invertebrates (do not have a backbone) as a hard skeleton covers the outside of their bodies forming an exoskeleton.

• Invertebrates are vital components of the eco-system as they recycle nutrients and maintain soil structure. Unfortunately they are also a vital food source for many species of animals such as bats, rats, hedgehogs and native birds such a kiwi.

• There are five types of weta: the tree weta, the cave weta, the tusked weta, the giant weta and the ground weta with there being more than 90 species within these groups.

• Weta are flightless, and nocturnal which means they are active at night and hide from predators during the day. They can look quite fierce especially with their large heads, long antennae, strong jaws and sharp teeth, however their body size varies depending on type.

• They are generally harmless unless threatened or disturbed. However be aware, weta can bite in self-defense and will warn you when they are upset by kicking their hind legs in the air!

• Weta live in a variety of New Zealand habitats including shrub land, forests, and caves. They occupy holes under stones, in rotting logs, bark crevices, trees, or occupy pre-formed burrows.

• The social life of a weta is very complicated with one dominant male maintaining a harem of females and many young.

• At around 18 months old the female will lay a dozen of eggs. The parents usually die before the weta eggs hatch 3-5 months later.

• The female weta can be easily identified by her long ovipositer, which looks like a sting but is used for laying eggs.

• Most weta are noisy at night and they communicate by stridulating – moving their thighs which have a group of pegs on the inner side, against a scraper or ridge on the side of the abdomen. It sounds like sandpaper rubbing on wood.

• Weta have auditory pits (ears) near the elbow on its front legs.

• Weta are mainly herbivorous in the wild but are also known to eat dead or injured insects and other organic material.

• A weta is large by insect standards but some of the giant weta are enormous and are amongst the heaviest insects in the world.

• Because weta are cold-blooded they need to obtain their body warmth from the environment. When it is very cold they hardly move at all: either slowly or short distances to find something to eat; when it is warm in summer they can move very fast indeed.

• You can help to save the weta by treading carefully and putting weta somewhere safe if you find them on the path.

http://auckland.langhamhotels.co.nz/