I presume much of their activity was based around courtship/mating. There were maybe up to 20 flitting about over a wasp-infested flowering Ivy covered fence. They seemed quite powerful flyers compared with say Monarchs.

Feeding on the nectar of Disphyma papillatum in coastal turf.

I apologize I chased this little beggar all over the place but could only get this one image of it - with the wings closed!

Very common on the island. Adults very active with a low, fast, somewhat jerky (erratic) flight.

Treated by some as an endemic species rather than the subspecies used by NWNZ.

We have stinging nettle in our garden and love watching plenty of yellow admiral butterflys. Today I saw my first red admiral butterfly and it was from one of my captive caterpillars that I have watched grow. So excited.