08/09/2026
Two cents:
Whānau, many of you share our deep interests in environmental protections. For the next few weeks, we will be summarising our engagements with political decision makers across the spectrum.
🌈BirdCare holds a firm non-partisan position. We care about birds, and the wonderful people who care about birds! We warmly invite all political representatives to engage with us.
🖊Meanwhile, a reminder to all nature-loving kiwis, WE have a voice. Please check that you are enrolled to vote, and make your marks on 7th Nov 2026!
🗓We met Labour MPs at the Matuku Link World Wetland Day (Feb 2026), the Maui& Hectors Dolphins Defenders' Marine Policy Forum (April 2026), Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Forum (July 2026), the Waitakere Ranges petition presentation on RMA reform legislation (Arataki, April 2026), and the Forest & Bird Future of Conservation Hui (August 2026).
Further, Labour MPs visited in April to discussed at length our operational pressures. They learned about our seabird recovery work, and invited us to speak at a forum on Enviro protections- with EcoMatters and Waitakere Ranges Protection Soc.
Key whakaaro topics:
🔴Vanushi Walters (Waitākere-based MP), commended the huge impact-footprint of our tiny charity-for birds and Aucklanders! We discussed challenges for funding clinical staff, with governmental grant opportunities drying up (e.g., Jobs for Nature). She saw the vital role of community orgs in skill-development and work-experience for young volunteers, interns, and new arrivals. And noted that charities, particularly animal/environmental orgs, have a significant wahine workforce (e.g., photo from Waitakere ranges heritage area forum).🦸♀️
🔴Hon Rachel Brooking (Environment) discussed: Impacts of RMA reform, affecting native habitats of taonga birdlife; The importance of cameras on commercial fishing vessels, to monitor bycatch. Our at-risk or endangered seabirds are rescued in-land, but commercial casualties never make it to our hospital! The proposed Fisheries amendment bill restricts public access to bycatch footage.
🔴Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishnan said she is relatively new to the Conservation portfolio, but is amazed by the work done by animal welfare and environmental charities across the country. We discussed the importance of long-term investments in community efforts.
❓Our July email to Ministers of MPI and DOC concerning HPAI frontline readiness is not yet answered.
🔴Hon Jo Luxton (Agriculture & Biosecurity) since followed up with us, and wrote a parliamentary question to the ministers, gauging support for native bird hospitals for HPAI. Specifically, querying funding for infrastructure, staffing, and extra support for public-facing roles.
Her email to us says "there is strong return-on-investment for supporting those on the front line, best placed to provide early detection/preventative support. Our native birds and susceptible wildlife aside, the impacts of an outbreak would extend beyond the poultry sector to arable farming as well. There is also a food resilience part to consider, as New Zealand does not import fresh eggs or chicken, and farmers will not receive compensation unless explicitly directed by MPI to cull flocks."
We are grateful for her advocacy… funding for HPAI prep is an ongoing discussion with MPI and DOC.
Stay tuned for our next Tuesday Two Cents' political discussions wrap. Check that you are enrolled to vote, and make your marks on 7th Nov 2026!
