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Ollie the Cockatiel's Epic Kiwi Adventure

  • DINOSAUR-SIZED THANKIES TO YOU ALL... 🧡

      23 August 2023
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    Woo-wee... I'm truly-ruly grateful for the donations and support you gave to my given charity TE ARAROA TRUST. 'Flock Ollie' - which is all of you (you're part of my flock now), raised $4239.60 and while the goal was $10,000, I sadly had to change charities due to not hearing a peep from Te Araroa Trust. Raising money takes hard work, effort, imagination, and the kindness and generosity of LOTS of super-starlings. Not hearing a tweet from the charity we were raising money for, made everything so much harder - especially for a little crippled cockatiel!

    Te Araroa Trust has received the amount raised ($4239.60) and while it's disappointing not to have the donation acknowledged, or a response from them for the huge amount of advertising they received when I appeared on television (twice), several magazines, newspapers, radio, and social media, I just had to shake my tail feathers and move on. The fundraising continues with a new charity - HUHANZ - who are loving what 'Flock Ollie' are doing for all the birdiful animals they rescue. Please follow my new Givealittle page and of course my Facebook page: Ollie The-Cockatiel (my epic Kiwi adventure). THANKIES FOR SHARING THE LOVE 🧡

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  • NEW PAGE, NEW CHARITY, BUT MY EPIC KIWI ADVENTURE CONTINUES...

      21 May 2023
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    Please keep a beady birds-eye open for my new Givealittle page coming soon! I hope to see many of you hoomans, floof-tails, furballs and furbabies, as I continue on my mission to walk the length of NZ, while raising money for this flaptastic animal charity. Big thankies for 'sharing the love' xx

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  • CHANGES AHEAD... THANKIES FOR YOUR SUPPORT XX

      20 May 2023
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    If you've been following me on Facebook, you'll know I'm making a couple of changes to my fundraising mission! 'Flock Ollie' (which includes all of you birdiful fans, friends, followers & flaptastic donors), have raised $4200 for Te Araroa Trust. But sadly, we haven't heard from them in regards to the donations they've been receiving, or posts, stories & photos they've been tagged in while I crawlie-walk sections of Te Araroa. Without their support, it does make it much harder to raise money for them. Therefore, we've decided to choose an alternative charity to fundraise for... one that will at least give a Facebook 'shout-out' to the amazeball hoomans, floof-tails, furbabies & feathered friends, who so generously donate money, buy raffle tickets, share my posts, offer us help while on our adventure, or support my mission in other ways. Shortly, this current Givealittle page will be closed down, all money raised paid out to Te Araroa Trust, & a new Givealittle page set up with the new charity. My epic Kiwi adventure will continue... with a new donation goal & as before, all money raised going directly to that new charity. Ostrich-sized thankies to all of you wonderflap supporters. While they've been very quiet, I'm sure Te Araroa Trust appreciates not only the money but the raised awareness of this flaptabulous NZ hiking trail. As many of you know, my fund-raising mission has featured in NZ & international magazines, newspaper articles, radio & television interviews. So, please keep a beady eye out for the new Givealittle page for Ollie The-Cockatiel, & follow my epic Kiwi adventure on Facebook & Instagram. Finally, big, big thankies to the good eggs at Givealittle... they have been super patient, helpful & friendly! Big thankies again... I love you all xx

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  • ANOTHER SECTION OF TE ARAROA DONE AND DUSTED!

      3 May 2023
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    We crawlie-walked from Papakura to Hamilton (Kirikiriroa)... knocking off another section of Te Araroa on this 'epic Kiwi adventure'. Big thankies to those birdiful hoomans who hooted, tooted, waved, stopped to check on us, gave me cheese (Mercer cheese tasting), got us out of the rain, encouraged us, and donated to this Givealittle page. Lots of love from your feathered friend, Ollie The-Cockatiel xx

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  • PAPAKURA TO HAMILTON...

      21 April 2023
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    My epic Kiwi adventure continues... 8 days of crawlie-walking another section of Te Araroa... start point Papakura & with a bit of lucky-ducky, we'll make it to Kirikiriroa (Hamilton).

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  • Winner winner chicken dinner!

      3 April 2023
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    I'm soaring like an Eagle at this latest donation - thanks to the generous team at Rugged Kiwi Caravans, and everyone who bought tickets in the raffle! Congratulations to Wellington winner Lesley Holder x

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  • OLLIE THE-COCKATIEL OIL PAINTING!!

      26 March 2023
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    Big thankies to Northland artist Alex McPherson, who painted my birdiful portrait from a photo. The photo was taken when I stayed at her Helena Bay nest while walking a section of Te Araroa. She then gifted the oil painting to my Te Araroa fund-raising endeavour - to auction it off and money added to my Givealittle page, to help me reach my goal of $10,000!

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  • ANOTHER DAY IN THE OFFICE

      28 February 2023
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    I want to go on an adventure... to complete another section of Te Araroa! But have to wait for Hoo-Pop to get some time off work. I'll keep annoying him until then haha!!

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  • ART AUCTION FOR TE ARAROA

      14 February 2023
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    How flaptabulous is this? One of the Trail Angels (Kaitiaki) I stayed a night with, painted me from a photo she took. Alex has gifted the oil painting to me to auction off on my Facebook page, with the winning bid going to Givealittle... and towards my goal of raising $10,000 for Te Araroa Trust! If you'd like to bid on this birdiful painting, please check out my Facebook page: Ollie The-Cockatiel (my epic Kiwi adventure). But be quick as the auction finishes on Saturday night!

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  • NEXT SECTION OF TE ARAROA - COMING SOON!

      14 February 2023
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    I can't wait to walk the next section of Te Araroa! Hoomum runs a small business & Hoo-pop works full-time, so we can only walk when we can wangle time off. During the hottest summer weeks, we don't walk as they want to keep me safe from heatstroke. But with Autumn almost here, I'm getting eggcited to be out there again. Watch this space!

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  • MEALS ON THE TRAIL

      14 February 2023
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    Hoomum takes plenty of seed for me to eat along the trail, as well as millet & a seed bell that hangs in my travel pack. But I also help myself to their meals, which are delicious - especially the peas!

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  • I LUVS YOU ALL!!

      16 January 2023
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    Thankies for your luvs and suppawt... we truly-ruly appreciate it. So far we've raised $3,151. for Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail... via my GIVEALITTLE page. Our target is $10,000. Please TAG and SHARE my page to your friends, family, colleagues, groups, other pages, and help me as a 'Pet with Purpose' to reach my goal. In return, I'll keep sharing my epic Kiwi adventure with you while we hike more sections of Te Araroa (The Long Pathway).

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  • Another section of Te Araroa DONE AND DUSTED

      16 January 2023
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    Pizza and beerzies to celebrate the completion of another Te Araroa section. Big thankies to the wonderflap barman at Frings Bar and Eatery, Whangarei, who kindly gave a donation for my Givealittle mission! Big thankies also to all the good eggs we met along the way, who stopped to chirp, suppawt, gave us a nest for the night, fed us, or are now following my page! You're all super-starlings 🌟 Next section in a few weeks so until then please SHARE, TAG, FOLLOW and if you can... DONATE to my GIVEALITTLE page.... every dollar goes to Te Araroa Trust.

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  • Here I am in Whangarie

      16 January 2023
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    Hundertwasser Art Centre is like a prize alpha Peacock... absoloodely-doodily birdiful! While I was given special permission to look around as long as I stayed in my pack, the lovely hooman looking after the rooftop garden allowed me out for photos! Here I am with the Hundertwasser garden gnome, sitting under one of the rarest trees on the entire planet... a ''Three Kings Kaikomako'!! What an amazeball privilege 🌳.

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  • Trail Angels of Te Araroa (Kaitiaki)

      16 January 2023
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    Big thankies to Trail Angels Alex and Dave in Helena Bay. We were fed and watered, and had a warm, cosy bed for the night. Luvs to floof-tails 'Kowhai' (mumma dog) & 'Toto' (black pup), and furball Jack the cat... thankies for not eating me haha.

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  • The Good Eggs of Oakura Bay

      16 January 2023
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    Big thankies to the good eggs we met in Oakura: a birdiful coastal settlement with super generous locals, who handed us cash donations to add to my GIVEALITTLE page for Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail. The kindness and generosity of 'Boys weekend away' (no photo), Whangaruru Whanau, and Drake Building & Construction Ltd is very much appreciated. Thankies for sharing the love ❤️

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  • Flaptastic Trail Angels of Te Araroa

      13 November 2022
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    Big floofy thankies to all the supporters, friends and trail angels we met between Kerikeri - Whangarei. We are so grateful to each and every one of you xx Here I am with Hoo-pop and birdiful Trail Angel Katrina.

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  • Te Araroa... The Long Pathway

      13 November 2022
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    Hiking Kerikeri to Whangarei, to complete another section of Te Araroa.

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  • Te Araroa here we come ready or not!

      4 November 2022
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    Flying the coop to Kerikeri, to continue the next section of my epic Kiwi adventure!

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  • SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR DONATIONS & SUPPORT XX

      18 October 2022
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    Big floofy feathered thankies to Christina, Lari, Lisa, Evelyn, & an incredibly generous anonymous donor, for recent donations to my Givealittle page! Every dollar goes directly to Te Araroa Trust, & we're now only $163 away from $3000 in donations - in my quest to raise $10,000 for Te Araroa! I truly-ruly appreciate every donation xxx

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  • TE ARAROA - THE NEXT SECTION

      18 October 2022
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    Woo-wee... I'm very eggcited! In two weeks I'll be flying the coop on another Te Araroa hiking adventure! Starting where I finished the last section, I'll be shaking my tail feathers from Kerikeri (Northland) to Paihia, over to Russell, then on to Helena Bay. My teletubby hoomans will of course be grumbling, complaining, & crying while they crawly-walk all the way (they are still chubby & unfit)!

    Of course, I'll be sharing my adventure with all of you through photos & videos.

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  • THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE LOVE...

      15 October 2022
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    BIG THANKIES to all those wonderflap hoomans, feathered friends, fur-babies & floof-tails, who have already made a donation (currently sitting at $2637.) or have supported me in other ways. I love you all xxx Please keep tagging & sharing to friends, family, businesses, groups, colleagues, & bizsquillionaires! These donations go directly to the Trust, which they'll use to improve & maintain Te Araroa ('the long pathway')... a walking trail connecting Cape Reinga at the tippy-top of NZ, all the way to the Bluffy-bottom.

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  • GOODBYE AND THANKIES QUEEN ELISABETH...

      5 October 2022
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    A little bluebird told me that Queen Elisabeth had flown away, high above the brightest rainbow. I was very sad she had left us, but happy she could take a well deserved rest. I know she'll be going on lots of birdiful walks with Prince Philip, her beloved horses and all her loyal corgis xxx

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  • MAKING NEW FRIENDS...

      5 October 2022
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    I made so many friends at the recent NZMCA Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show! Best parts... playing inside one of the flaptabulous 'Rugged Kiwi Caravans', eating yummy Mama's Dumplings, & chitty-chatties with lots of hoomans! I got lots of photos but I like this one best (my Magpie-side tried to take her shiny earrings haha).

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  • SHARING THE LOVE...

      5 October 2022
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    Woo-wee... I'm so flappy-happy to read an article all about my epic Kiwi adventures, written by the super-starlings at 'Insight New Zealand'. Their Facebook page is for the Chinese community and while some of the information got a little 'lost in translation', it's super-duper nice of them to give me their support. Thankies to Catherine Xin for 'sharing the love'! https://www.facebook.com/InsightNewZealand.

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  • Visit to Oakdale Rest Home

      1 September 2022
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    I had the privilege of visiting the birdiful residents of Oakdale Rest Home, in Cambridge. I was so flappy-happy to receive cuddles, head rubs, and photos... I hope to visit more rest-homes during my epic Kiwi adventure.

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  • MAP OF TE ARAROA

      1 September 2022
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    This is where the flaptastic trail goes... from fluffy top of NZ to the bluffy bottom!

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  • I'm in a book!

      1 September 2022
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    Oh my giddy-biddy, my avian heart is all aflutter My bestie fur-ball Rodney The Cat has a flaptastic new book coming soon... & I'm in it!! I'm humbled to be included as one of Rodney's friends in his 2nd book, 'Rodney The Cat Beyond Lost & Found'. I met this Wanganui icon during my walkies from Sanson to Porirua. Even though he's a cat, we hit it off straight away & have since become bestie-buds! Like me, Rodney is a 'Pet with Purpose'.

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  • MAKING NEW FRIENDS ON TE ARAROA

      30 July 2022
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    Thanks to Facebook, Instagram and Givealittle, I have lots of new friends, followers, and supporters! While walking the Auckland section of Te Araroa, I took time out to meet 'Comet'... who is a loyal supporter of my epic Kiwi adventure.

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  • ANOTHER SECTION OF FLAPTABULOUS TE ARAROA COMPLETED

      30 July 2022
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    Auckland section of Te Araroa Trail done & dusted (65 km). Big thankies to the flaptabulous hoomans, feathered friends, furballs & floof-tails we met along the way. The next section will be from Dury to Mercer... hopefully in September. To all my followers & supporters... THANK YOU ❤️

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  • WILD FOOD FORAGING ON THE TRAIL...

      30 July 2022
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    Woo-wee... fresh wild greens for me! Te Araroa includes the Botanical Gardens in south Auckland... the perfect place to gather fresh greens for a hungry cockatiel!

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  • LOTS OF SURPRISES WALKING TE ARAROA...

      30 July 2022
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    The Auckland section of Te Araroa takes walkers past Auckland Airport and Butterfly Creek... home of this big, bad, blue dinosaur!

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  • TE ARAROA INCLUDES MT EDEN!

      30 July 2022
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    A VERY slow crawl up Mt Eden which Hoomum was positive was as steep as Mt Everest. It was too windy and cold for me so I had to stay in the pack for photos at the top.

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  • AUCKLAND SECTION OF TE ARAROA...

      30 July 2022
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    Crawlie-walking through Auckland Domain, we made a quick detour through the Winter Garden hothouse.

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  • Lillibutt's Te Araroa Adventure...

      29 July 2022
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    What a privilege to score a photo with Claudia Pond Eyley! She is the illustrator of the flaptabulous children's book series 'Lillibutt's Te Araroa Adventure'. She spotted us crawlie-walking & figured we were either TA hikers... or old homeless Teletubbies haha.

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  • Train ride to Auckland Ferry Building...

      29 July 2022
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    After dropping the hooty-car in Papakura, we caught a tooty-train to city central to the start point of this Auckland section of Te Araroa. The Ferry Building in downtown CBD to Dury South Auckland is 65 km.

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  • My Te Araroa adventure continues...

      29 July 2022
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    Woo-wee... my epic Te Araroa adventure continues! I'm off to complete the Auckland section of this flaptabulous NZ trail! Look out Auckland... here I come!

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  • GLOW-WORM KAYAKING ON WAIKATO RIVER

      6 July 2022
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    My epic Kiwi adventure continues! I went kayaking on Waikato River with flaptastic BoatShed Kayaks Ltd, Cambridge. I loved paddling up the river, saying hellow to the hoomans in the other kayaks, roasting marshmallows on the bonfire, then looking at all the sparkling glow-worms on the paddle back to shore.

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  • Helping to fundraise!

      6 July 2022
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    I helped Hoomum make delicious LEMON CURD so she could sell it to raise money for Bird Rescue and Rehoming, Cambridge NZ. The money goes towards seed, millet, bird-raising mix, Gold n'Fruit, and other impawtant things they need. For my help with the Lemon Curd, I received a donation to my Givealittle page, from Bird Rescue and Rehoming, Cambridge! Big thankies for this xx

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  • Cape Reinga to Kerikeri - DONE!

      15 June 2022
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    So... we've come to the end of this section of our adventure. It was a good one to practice with & we're pleased with what we achieved. While Hoomum & Hoo-pop weren't fit enough or experienced to complete parts of this Cape Reinga to Kerikeri section, they learnt a lot along the way & the bits missed will be attempted another time. We walked 160km which isn't too shabby for a disabled Cockatiel & a couple of aging Teletubbies haha. We will return to Kerikeri in September to crawlie-walk the next section of the trail, which takes in birdiful Paihia, Russell and Helena Bay. I hope you enjoyed following my adventure, which I'm doing to raise money for Te Araroa. Big thankies for donating to my Givealittle page 💖 Every dollar goes directly to Te Araroa Trust, & every dollar is appreciated ❤️

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    • 16/06/2022 by Ann

      Great job, all of you!!!

  • Puketi Forest, Northland

      14 June 2022
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    Luscious green of NZ native bush, kiwifruit snacks by my good friends at @Kihi Kiwifruit - Dried Kiwifruit for Pets, & sights & sounds of Te Araroa... makes this a perfect setting for a perfect snack on a perfect day 💚

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  • Ahipara to Kaitaia

      14 June 2022
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    Kia Ora from Kaitaia!

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  • Meeting the locals in Ahipara

      14 June 2022
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    I poked my beak in at Oscar's Place: an after-school program for primary kiddies. I told them about my fundraising adventure for Te Araroa Trust. They all wanted a turn to hold me, & were very gentle, polite & well behaved.

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  • Campsite on Te Araroa

      14 June 2022
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    Here I am at Twilight Beach Micro Campsite. We were so flappy-happy to get there & find big bottles of fresh water! Big thankies to DOC xx

    I was so tired after bouncing along the beach all day, that after having a big feed I went straight to sleep 💤

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  • Cape Reinga to Ahipara

      14 June 2022
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    My hoomans are very unfit so had to have lots of rest stops on Ninety Mile Beach. Plus they're carrying heavy packs. Hoo-pop's is 18kg, Hoomum's is 14kg, plus me in mine at 1kg. Can you see me on my pack??

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  • Up & Down & Over & Under...

      15 May 2022
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    We set off from the lighthouse & walked over hills & dunes before pitching the tent for the first night on our Te Araroa adventure. Hoomum & Hoo-pop were very unfit, so it took a looooonnnnnnggggggg time haha.

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  • CAPE REINGA LIGHTHOUSE

      15 May 2022
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    Not too many domestic birdies get to visit the lighthouse at Cape Reinga! I thought it was appropriate that I wear my Superbird vest for this momentous occasion.

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  • THE BUS TO CAPE REINGA!

      25 April 2022
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    I was a very good boy on the 5 hour bus trip from Kerikeri to the lighthouse at Cape Reinga!

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  • KERIKERI

      25 April 2022
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    So... my adventures have continued with an attempt to walk the first section of Te Araroa! Driving from Cambridge to Kerikeri, we're leaving the car at a motel, then catching a bus to Cape Reinga. Here I am outside the Stone Store in Kerikeri!

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  • RODNEY THE CAT... World Famous in New Zealand

      30 March 2022
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    I met NZ's most famous feline 'Rodney Cat', while on a road-walking, fund-raising mission for Te Araroa Trust! I'm so flappy-happy to have received this birdiful book, which is all about my furball bestie, while knowing that the purchase of this book and other flaptastic merchandise, helps other furry, feathered, hairy & hooved friends around NZ.

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  • SHARING THE LOVE ON EPILEPSY PURPLE DAY...

      30 March 2022
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    I work hard to raise money and awareness for Te Araroa Trust. But there are others around NZ working just as hard for their charities. March 26th (Purple Day) was the official day for Epilepsy Awareness in NZ, and around the world. So I wore a new purple crocheted vest in support of Epilepsy Purple Day, to let our feathered, furry, hairy & hooman friends know they are not alone. 💜💜 💜

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  • Woo-wee... we're over the 'twosies' and heading for the 'threesies!

      10 March 2022
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    BIG FLOOFY THANKIES to the latest wonderflap lovelies, whose generous donations have put my fundraising amount on the road to $3000. Onwards & upwards - as the crow flies haha

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  • Enjoying the great outdoors!

      7 March 2022
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    When I'm not off on a big adventure to raise money for Te Araroa, I like to spend time outside at Huntington Stables Retreat. https://huntington.co.nz/

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  • Keeping the workplace flappy-happy!

      7 March 2022
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    I spend my weekday mornings in the office with Hoo-pop!

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  • OLLIE THE COCKATIEL... FIRST PET BIRD TO COMPLETE TONGARIRO CROSSING!

      7 March 2022
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    Woo-wee... I did it! Carried in a special pack on Hoomum's back, with Hoo-pop walking with us to make sure I was safe (and to pull Hoomum up the hundreds of steps), I completed Tongariro Crossing and became the 1st Cockatiel to do it! If you'd like to read about my flaptabulous adventure, please go to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071125504595. It was a very big adventure, so it's in 3 parts haha.

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  • OLLIE THE COCKATIEL CONQUERS TONGARIRO!

      15 January 2022
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    Tongariro Crossing is part of Te Araroa trail. So I thought it appropriate to wear my hi-viz vest with the orange Te Araroa triangle (which matches the markers on the TA trail, which of course is the charity I'm raising money for), which also match some of the markers on Tongariro Crossing. My story about completing Tongariro Crossing - and being the first cockatiel to do so, is coming!

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  • I WAS ON TV!

      15 January 2022
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    While we couldn't get the actual link to the Breakfast Show interview, Eden has shared a recorded version (you might need to turn up the volume a little as it's not the best quality). Click on the youtube link below to watch the interview:

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  • KEA KIDS NEWS... READY TO WATCH

      22 November 2021
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    Had a flaptastic morning with the eggcellent Kea Kids News team. Thanks so much for your support & for helping get my name out there... raising money for Te Araroa Trust!

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  • OLLIE THE COCKATIEL IS... 'ELF ON A SHELF'!

      17 November 2021
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    As a fun way of spreading Christmas cheer & hopefully boosting sales & interest for small businesses, organisations & groups, I'm offering quick visits & photos of me dressed as 'Elf on a Shelf' for their social media platforms. Of course it would be great to get a few donations made to Te Araroa Trust, but more importantly this will be about sharing the love & putting smiles on dials.

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  • A QUICK TRIP TO PICTON

      31 October 2021
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    Having made it to Wellington, we had to fill in a couple of days while waiting for a ride home to Cambridge. We decided to take a ferry to Picton to spend a day admiring the beauty of this little town & to blow the dustmites out of my wings haha.

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  • LOCKDOWNS & RESTRICTIONS... TIME TO RETHINK, REPLAN & REGROUP

      31 October 2021
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    Very sad to inform all my flaptastic followers & supporters, that as a result of issues & uncertainties from covid lockdowns, the lack of access to northland & Cape Reinga, & injuries to my poor Hoomum, we are heading home to rethink, replan, & recoop. 'Team Ollie' will come up with a new plan for me to meet as many fur-babies, feathered friends, & hoomans in as many towns as possible, while doing everything we can to reach the Givealittle target for Te AraroaTrust. I hope you will continue to follow my antics while we adjust my Kiwi adventure xx love to all of you ❤

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  • THIS IS HOW I TRAVEL ON OUR WALK...

      18 October 2021
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    ...strapped on the back of the main pack. I can be carried as a front pack sometimes, but along the busy highways it's a bit dangerous with trucks flicking up stones. When it's cold, windy or wet, a clever cover fits over my pack with a removable flap so I can see out or talk to Hoomum.

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  • Te Araroa Mash-Up

      15 October 2021
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    Lockdowns, bad weather & track closures, have made things a bit tricky-dicky. So we've started road walking to Wellington & hope to join up to sections of Te Araroa when possible. But it's a slow process while my unfit Hoomum gets used to walking with a heavy pack! We're humbled by the kindness of strangers & the support of friends, family, media, & followers xx

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    • 17/10/2021 by Ann

      Great to hear you're on your way! Hooman will get fit quickly, just don't push things too hard at first so she doesn't injure herself. And at least the weather gets cooler the further south you head.

  • CHANGE OF ROUTE

      15 October 2021
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    Covid lockdowns have really put a cat amongst the pigeons in regards to best laid eggs... I mean plans haha. While figuring out what to do, I'm taking my Hoomum on a roadwalk to Wellington.

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  • WHANGANUI... HOME OF RODNEY THE CAT!

      15 October 2021
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    A clawsome/pawsome meet-up with new furball bestie, Rodney the Cat! He is world famous in NZ & a Whanganui icon xx

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  • KEA KIDS NEWS...

      5 October 2021
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    Had a great morning being interviewed by Alexa from Hautapu School, & the wonderful Kea Kids News crew! This will be available to view some time in November. Thanks for your support Kea Kids News (Stuff NZ) 💕

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  • A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME...

      5 October 2021
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    ... the wonderful town of WHANGANUI will be our start point for our Te Araroa adventure! From there we walk south to Wellington, then will shoot up to Cape Reinga (if lockdown levels have dropped) or hop-skip-jump over the strait to begin the South Island. Woo-wee... see you soon Whanganui!

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  • NEARLY READY!

      5 October 2021
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    'Lockdown' has now hit Hamilton & surrounding areas, which has made it near impossible to get past Auckland to reach Cape Reinga. We're keen to hit the trail so will rethink our start point.

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  • MY SUPER BRIGHT TE ARAROA VEST

      26 September 2021
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    Here I am in all my glorious avian magnificence... in a brightly coloured high-viz fluro vest with orange marker, like those that guide hikers/trampers on Te Araroa Trail. This will help keep me safe on my 'walking for charity' adventure, while reminding me (as trail navigator) to keep a beady eye out for orange markers haha! Thanks again for all the flaptabulous support & encouragement... we wouldn't be able to do this without you xxx Please SHARE posts to your friends, family, hobby groups & work mates. Ask them to FOLLOW my page & if they can, please donate a few dollars to my GIVEALITTLE page

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  • WOO-WEE - LOOK AT ME - I'M ON A BILLBOARD

      16 September 2021
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    Congratulations to Kihi's Pet Chips - Dried Kiwifruit for Pets on this winning submission to Chooice, who obviously loved their NZ-made Kiwifruit Pet product (and the model of course) to advertise them on this billboard in Parnell, Auckland. While the advertisement is for Kihi Pet Chips (and Chooice), it is such an honour to be the model - I'm like Cindy Clawford (except obviously the male version). Well done Kihi's Pet Chips - Dried Kiwifruit for Pets, & huge thanks to Rebecca Larsen & family for the incredibly generous support xx

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  • SENDING LOVE TO FLOOD-RIDDEN WEST/NORTH AUCKLAND

      3 September 2021
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    As if covid & lockdown weren't enough to cope with, now there is severe flooding in parts of north/west Auckland! To all our feathered, furry, hairy & hooman friends in Kumeu, Huapai & other areas affected by the floods, know that we are thinking of you. We will be crossing our claws in the hope this will all end soon.

    Stay safe NZ 🐴 🐕🐶🐕‍🦺🐩🐦🦆🦜💕💑

    (Thanks to my clever 'dresser' who whipped me up a Kumeu rugby jersey. Please SHARE this post to someone who has been affected by these floods).

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  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER FASHION SHOW

      30 August 2021
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    Straight from the 'Birds of a Feather Fashion Show' runway... my modelling debut of the Yarn'n 2021 Winter Collection... Turn up the volume & please SHARE to someone who could do with some lockdown cheer!

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  • Pretty in pink!

      28 August 2021
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    No lockdown blues for me... in fact I'm tickled pink to be out in the garden among the Spring flowers!

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  • SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM HRH, ROYAL PALACE

      25 August 2021
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    I'm all a flutter... the Queen herself has sent through an audio message in support of my upcoming Te Araroa walk! HRH is FOLLOWING my Facebook page & SHARING my posts to garner support & drum up a few donations. Please be like the Queen & SHARE this with your friends, family, colleagues, & customers. Thanks so much for your support. (Be sure to turn on the volume for this royal audio clip)

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    • 25/08/2021 by Ann

      Gorgeous!!! Most eggcellent support for your worthy cause! Ann.

  • I've been painted on a rock wearing my snazzy Waikato vest!

      25 August 2021
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    This has put a huge smile on my avian dial - I'm so touched by this xx. What an eggcellent lockdown activity for your chicks or grandies: paint rocks of native or garden birds, or of your bird heros (Sirocco the Kakapo, Oscar the Oxford Owl, or of course me Ollie The-Cockatiel haha). Then as soon as lockdown ends & the weather improves, take your rock on a bushwalk & leave it somewhere for other adventurers to find & enjoy!

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  • Delayed Start Date Due to Lockdown

      25 August 2021
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    Like everyone else our lives are on hold with lockdown. Sadly this means a slightly later start date for my epic Te Araroa walk. However, as soon as I'm able to get past, over, under or around Auckland in order to get to Cape Reinga, I'll be off!

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    • 25/08/2021 by Ann

      How lucky you hadn't both started your epic adventure!!! Ann.

  • Treats for my journey!

      13 August 2021
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    I'm a very lucky boy having received a wonderful gift of super crunchy, super delicious dried kiwifruit treats! 🥝 Also in the parcel that arrived by carrier pigeon, was a beautiful letter of support. 💌 Thanks so much to the good eggs at Kiri's Kiwifruit Pet Chips 🥚🥚🥚🥚 💕

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  • A shout out to our Kiwi Olympic Super-Stars in Tokyo!

      7 August 2021
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    Our Olympic Kiwis are truly something to crow about, and are absolute legends!

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  • Crocheted Hiking Vests

      30 July 2021
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    To keep me warm on wild, windy days on Te Araroa trail, I'm having a range of crocheted vests made for me, with huge thanks to Cambridge's Crochet Queen - Jill Smith (Yarn'n). This pink one is to gauge the size, but stay tuned for my modelling debut when I showcase the whole range. In the meantime, please FOLLOW & SHARE my Facebook & Instagram pages, & if you can spare a few dollars to help keep our flaptastic Te Araroa trail open, please donate to this GIVEALITTLE page 🦜

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