Yolanda van Heezik – The Conversation

Jacqueline Theis

December 18, 2025

Dunedin’s inner‑city greening project shows even small spaces can be wildlife havens

Jacqueline Theis, University of Otago; Barbara I.P. Barratt, University of Otago; Connal McLean, University of Otago, and Yolanda van Heezik, University of Otago

Medium-density housing has limited green spaces, but even small planted patches can provide enough food and habitat to enhance urban biodiversity.

Getty Images

May 16, 2024

Denser housing can be greener too – here’s how NZ can build better for biodiversity

Yolanda van Heezik, University of Otago; Christopher K. Woolley, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Jacqueline Theis, University of Otago, and Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

The majority of 25 surveyed developments around New Zealand lacked healthy, ecologically meaningful vegetation. Applying biodiversity targets for medium-density housing could turn this around.

Shutterstock/KingRobert

January 4, 2023

How to feed your garden birds if you want to attract and support native species

Daria Erastova, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Ellen Hume, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Josie Galbraith, Auckland War Memorial Museum; Kristal Cain, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Margaret Stanley, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Yolanda van Heezik, University of Otago

Sugar water feeding in cities helps native nectar-eating birds in winter, but it’s important to use the right feeders to avoid pathogens.

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