The pronouncement by Act MP David Garrett that he would like to see abusive mothers paid an incentive to sterilise themselves has exposed the New Right's hidden agenda towards the poorest sections of our society.

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Opensouls and Batucada Sound Machine are bringing another successful Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic season to a close on Friday, 12 March from 6pm.

Here's your chance to see New Zealand family favourites The Topp Twins perform at Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic on Sunday, 28 February from 6pm.

Anika Moa and Sola Rosa are teaming up for an unmissable double billing at Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic on Saturday, 13 February from 6pm.

Chart-toppers Opshop are back by popular demand for their second Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic on Waitangi Day - Saturday, 6 February from 6pm.

The Black Seeds and Tahuna Breaks are sure to have the crowds grooving at the first Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic gig for 2010 on Friday, 29 January from 6pm.

Six of New Zealand's top musical talents will be singing for the animals this summer at Auckland's Zoo popular concert series, Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic.

Opening the series is the dynamic eight-piece Wellington band The Black Seeds (29 Jan), followed by the award-winning Opshop (6 Feb).

A special birthday party for four-year-old orangutan Madju and the launching of a nationwide 'Don't Palm Us Off' campaign on Saturday 7 November (10am - 3pm) will mark the start of Orangutan Caring Week (7 - 14 November) at Auckland Zoo.

WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2009 4.30PM

A passionate kea crusader and a 17-year-old determined to spread the message of native marine conservation have been awarded Auckland Zoo's Conservationist of the Year and Young Conservationist of the Year in the second year of the awards.