About

About BirdCare Aotearoa

BirdCare Aotearoa is a Department of Conservation permitted wildlife rehabilitation centre. With a highly professional and experienced team, we offer a holistic service with a breadth of care unlike any other avian hospital and rehabilitation centre in Aotearoa. Our staff are highly regarded and we are known for being at the forefront of bird care and rehabilitation.

As professional wildlife rehabilitators, we follow the guidelines of the Department of Conservation and the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand (WReNNZ).

Our General Manager from 2019-2023 Dr Lynn Miller continues to provide guidance and support, as BirdCare Aotearoa is affiliated with her new training organisation WildWays. CEO Dr Lynn Miller is currently the only wildlife rehabilitator in Aotearoa to hold the Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) qualification, issued by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) and the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association (NWRA). We follow the Code of Professional Ethics, established by the IWRC and NWRA and practiced by all Certified Wildlife Rehabilitators (CWR) as a condition of their unique qualification.

Collaboration is central to our work. We are a member of WReNNZ and we work closely with individuals and organisations, nationally and internationally, to ensure we use the depth of expertise and knowledge available. We share our knowledge in a variety of ways, including by providing technical, research, and educational support to frontline responders, other rehabilitation facilities, veterinarians, academic institutions, and communities throughout Aotearoa and globally.

Photo by Simon Runting

Vision

Our vision is to establish BirdCare Aotearoa as a National Centre of Excellence in wildlife rehabilitation.

Mission

Our mission is to care about, and care for, all birds. We do this through advocacy, education and care.

Values

At BirdCare Aotearoa, we pride ourselves on being proactive, positive, energetic and inclusive.

Our purpose

Our purpose is to use our strengths and capabilities:

  • to provide rehabilitation, care, and release services for wild birds, and engagement, research and learning services for people and communities,
  • in a way that assists the wellbeing of the wild birds of Aotearoa New Zealand; and assists people and communities to grow their love and care for the wild birds of their place,
  • ensuring consistency with Te Tiriti o Waitangi,
  • to assist other movements, groups and organisations who are endeavouring to promote activities designed to support birds, the environment and learning,
  • so that a healthy and safe relationship is built and strengthened between wildlife and human communities of Aotearoa New Zealand; one that is reciprocal in contributing to the health and wellbeing of both parties, and the environment we share.

Our purpose statement acknowledges there are many players contributing to the overall outcome to which BirdCare Aotearoa contributes; acknowledges that each has strengths and capabilities, including BirdCare Aotearoa; and that by using those strengths and capabilities, each is able to play a complementary and collaborative role towards the overall outcome.