Native Bird Rescue is a small, volunteer-driven bird rescue centre on Waiheke Island, in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, established in 2016. As the only DOC permitted organisation on Waiheke to hold native birds, Native Bird Rescue offers a bird rescue and care service for protected birds 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We care for ill and injured native birds and aim to Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release them back to their natural environment.
As a registered charitable trust and volunteer group we rely on donations for medical supplies and equipment, specialised food and further facility development.
We care for native and endemic forest birds and seabirds such as Kereru (Wood Pigeon), Kingfisher, Tui, Ruru (Morepork), Harrier Hawk, Kaka, Fantail, Grey Warbler, Shining Cuckoo, Weka, Little Blue Penguins, Fairy Prions and many other native birds. (Note: We are unable to care for game birds such as ducks and Pukeko).
Native Bird Rescue founder Karen Saunders holds a DOC Authority to hold Avian Wildlife Species in captivity for the purpose of rehabilitation. We are assisted by the Wild Bird Care Charitable Trust and a member of the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand.