Hunua Bird Life

04/10/2026

Tūī was found in Clevedon. It was immobile, laying on the ground, without obvious injuries.

The rescuer was convinced the precious bird would not make it. She thankfully took it to Franklin Vets in Papakura, who hydrated it with electrolytes and contacted Hunua Bird Life. The hydration brought life back into this manu / bird, however it remained unable to fly. My daughter kindly collected it and we gave it a warm brooder, wholesome food and a quiet night's sleep.

The following day it was full of beans. It was released without any difficulties to gorge itself again on kowhai and peach blossoms!

24/09/2026

With the arrival of spring and the expected busy bird season, Hūnua Bird Life needs your help!

🤸‍♂️We are looking for people who share our vision and want to volunteer at our facility. If you are 15 years or older and have a couple of hours to spare every third week or so, we would love to hear from you!!

There are other ways you can help:

🐁 Trap mice and put them in the freezer for us to feed ruru and kōtare (from poison free homes)

⛺️ Support our market stall by crocheting native birds (patterns available), donating plants, flower bulbs, or second-hand items with a bird theme

🫛Donate towards a cabin / bird hospital, food and medication

As you may know, Hūnua Bird Life has no independent source of income. Our finances come straight from you, the public. Please consider a regular donation, and message your details for a receipt and tax refund:

Hunua Bird Life Charitable Trust 12-3031-0313046-00

Feel free to contact us on 021 08910021

Thank you so much for your ongoing support! 🐦

12/09/2026

12/09/2026

🎊 Party time 🎊
Hunua Bird Life has been looking after birds for 10 years 🎊

Thank you so much for your support over the years!!! We can not do what we do without your help

Most importantly, thank you to the compassionate people who rescue and bring in birds in need 🎖

Our heartfelt thanks go out to:
# Veterinary care - Janine, Eckhard, Calico, Avian Empire
# Volunteers - Kim, Emma, Cristin, Blaze, Jewels, Terry
# Trustees - Rachel, Willow, Melle, Marleen
# Market support - Lenny, Haydn, Blaze, Melle, Hugh, Creative Critters (jewelry)
# Like minded people - Rami, Nikki, Jane, Kim and others at South Auckland Rescue Birds; rescuers like Lynne Miller Wild Ways Education, Karen Native Bird Rescue - Waiheke Island , Tom Native Nest Nz , Mieke Kūoatunu, Rashi BirdCare Aotearoa and many others

And all the other special people who:
* Trap mice (from poison free homes)
* Crochet birds (to sell at the market)
* Donate second hand items with a bird theme (to sell)
* Donate plants and flower bulbs for the market
* Donate towards a cabin / bird hospital
* Offer a financial donation towards food and medicine

As you may know, Hunua Bird Life has no independent source of income; our finances come straight from you, the public.
Bank account: Hunua Bird Life Charitable Trust 12- 3031- 0313046- 00

Further offers of support are welcome and needed! Feel free to give me a call and discuss how you can help - 021 08910021. I'm happy to share crochet patterns, just saying ;) 🎊

10/09/2026

The door is open. The time has come to leave the nest... nah, I like this 5 star hotel!

The welcoming committee is awaiting the new members of the flock, who are in no hurry to join them in the wild ;)

UPDATE: they have flown off now!

06/09/2026

It's spring time!
Found a baby bird and not sure what to do?

Knowing whether it’s a nestling or fledgling can make all the difference. Often, the best thing we can do is keep them safe and let their parents continue caring for them.

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide what to do. 🐦

05/09/2026

Two kēreru arrived in the same weekend, both emaciated, at a time when natural kēreru food is in short supply.

The nestling / juvenile with the yellow tufts (and hugging the food bowl) was born late in the season, and winter arrived too soon. She was 320 gram on arrival, and ate and ate to catch up with her normal body weight.

The older bird was found on the side of the road. At 436 grams she was so weak that she kept falling over like a soft toy. Her keelbone was sticking out and I could easily feel the clavicle (wishbone) and spine through the front of her neck. Takanini Associate Vets were kind enough to Xray her. Besides an enlarged liver (possibly due to infection) there were no injuries. No parasites were found under the microscope. This was good news! Within 2 weeks of healthy nutricion and milk thistle she was 544 grams. Today, a week later, she weights a healthy 610 gr, a 40% increase in body weight!

They are in the aviary together so they can built fitness and hopefully strike up a friendship built on shared experiences 😏

And for interest sake, I tend to call my birds female if I don't know their gender. My quirk...

31/08/2026

Tūī arrived yesterday afternoon, sadly limp as a dish cloth. She was found next to a Papakura park with concussion and lack of the nectar tūī need to satisfy their high metabolism.

She was no longer able to eat independently. I tube fed water with honey, nutrition and anti-inflamatory straight into her crop, and placed her in a warm brooder with extra oxygen.

This morning she woke a terror and an escape artist. She flew around the room before she calmed enough to be caught and fed. I kept her for another day and she continued to do well including eating from a bowl.

She will be released tomorrow morning. A healthy adult tūī with a new lease of life, a spring in her step and looking for a mate in our rural neighbourhood!

28/08/2026

The following post is written by Lenny van Heugten, daughter and author of the book -

Given the recent flurry of news about the Hūnua kōkako population - it's strong numbers at over 400 pairs from just a single pair in 1994, the oldest known breeding female, and the recent translocations of 20 birds to help a tiny population in Northland survive - it seems timely to remind you that there is a book documenting the history up to 2022.

It's a great coffee table book, a great fathers day gift, great for older members of the district who will recognise names and images, and wonderful to gift friends and family who may like to know more about the area or the projects friends and family have been involved in.

You can purchase the books from - www.friendsofhunuaranges.co.nz - for $37, or borrow it from your local library. All profits are held by Friends of Hunua Ranges to continue to enhance the ngahere for all who use it.

25/08/2026

🐣 A tiny rescue with a fighting spirit

This little spur-winged plover chick came into care after being separated from its parents and found cold, weak and in need of help.

After warmth, hydration, appropriate food and plenty of careful monitoring, the little one began to perk up, find its feet and start eating independently. 💚

Young birds like this can be incredibly vulnerable, and knowing what to do in those first few hours can make a huge difference.

This is just one example of the birds that come through our network and the people who work alongside Hunua Bird Life to give them the best possible chance of recovery and, wherever possible, return to the wild.

Supporting Hunua Bird Life helps us continue rescue, rehabilitation and advocacy for birds across our community.

Every little life matters. 🐦🌿