Effective care and rehabilitation of New Zealand native birds.

Ngahuia Wild Bird Rescue is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, sick, and orphaned wild birds. Their mission is to protect and support native and non-native bird species while promoting wildlife conservation, community education, and environmental stewardship through hands-on care and advocacy.

In early 2025, Ngahuia Wild Bird Rescue requested funding to purchase a hospital cage. This cage is designed to provide a safe, controlled environment to treat injured or sick birds as they recover. Nikau was proud to support, providing a grant from the Willows Endowment Fund.

“The grant from Nikau Foundation has had a meaningful impact on our operations,” says trustee, Danielle Hill. “By funding the hospital cage, we have been able to enhance the quality of care we provide and streamline our treatment process for rescued birds. It has also reduced the stress on our limited resources by allowing us to house multiple patients safely and effectively.”

“This support has strengthened our ability to continue our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild birds, and has made a tangible difference to both our team and the wildlife we serve.”

“Having this additional equipment has increased our capacity to meet demand for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation across the Wairarapa, ensuring more native and non-native birds receive the care they need to survive and be returned to the wild.”

When asked about their funding and reporting experience, Danielle noted that “Nikau Foundation is approachable, community-focused, and genuinely supportive of small grassroots organisations. We appreciate how accessible their funding process is and how they take the time to understand the real needs of local groups making a difference in their communities.”