Back to page

Save Te Anau's Bird Sanctuary! Help us challenge DOC!

  • We're still fighting for Te Anau's Bird Park

      3 March 2026

    The beautiful sanctuary still has its ambasador Takahē and Antipodes Island Kākāriki and other beloved birds, but this could change.

    Through our work with bringing Charlie Girl Kākā home, we have secured mediation with DOC. While we can't share details of the mediation unless all parties agree, this mediation is progressing and we've made some positive steps.

    Meanwhile, there's no real news or updates from DOC on the sanctuary itself. DOC has stopped daily tours without explanation. Advocates have been harassed and threatened. And it seems that DOC will still remove birds as soon as feasible, which is not fair to the community, nor does this support advocacy and conservation.

    Through our mediation work, there is a promise of coming together, however. We remain hopeful, and Ian and Stewart the lawyers have been working hard to look at all the details and ensure mediation goes well. This means more legal bills, and your help by sharing this fundraiser with others who care about conservation and advocacy would be a huge help!

    Together we can make a difference.

    If you live or work in/near Te Anau, there are steps you can take to help the bird park- professionally and through appropriate channels. Please reach out to VetAltCare@gmail.com for more information.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment
  • Te Anau's takahē are successful, DOC still wants them gone

      1 December 2025
    Main image

    Te Anau's takahē family is growing! Ten Ten and Kēwai have been sitting on two eggs, and one of these eggs has hatched today, with the other egg expected to hatch at any moment! This brings more hope to our takahē population, and with a little over 500 birds in existence across Aotearoa New Zealand, every chick is precious.

    You will soon be able to see this family of five (Ten Ten, Kēwai, daughter Te Anau, and the two chicks) foraging around the lower takahē enclosure at the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, along with the happy family of four in the upper enclosure.

    But despite this success, DOC are still trying to dismantle the bird park. Our lawyers are hard at work holding DOC accountable, and while DOC are avoiding questions, they have providing transitional management documents that are concerning.

    DOC management want to feed the takahē 2-3 times per week instead of 2-3 times per day until such time as they can move the takahē to another location. With young chicks and juveniles, this raises major welfare concerns.

    By contrast, sanctuary keepers are dedicated to the care and well-being of all the sanctuary birds, and their important work is being undermined. Our takahē chicks and happy families are proof that keepers are doing an amazing job!

    DOC promised to consult with the community before making major changes. This hasn't been done.

    We're still fighting to save our sanctuary. Please share this fundraiser with friends and family and ask them to support us too! <3

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment