a Campervan, a Sunset, and a crippled Cockatiel
17 June 2026We were lucky to have the use of a flaptabulous 'Rugged Kiwi' campervan for five days, as part of my epic Kiwi adventure!
We were lucky to have the use of a flaptabulous 'Rugged Kiwi' campervan for five days, as part of my epic Kiwi adventure!
My wonky yellow crest antenna is sending floofy-feathered thankies to all hoomans - wherever your nest is - for your continued support of my mission! I can't wait to continue my adventures around New Zealand, while trying to raise a bizquillion buckaroonies for animal charity HUHANZ. I miss you all - but will see you soon 🧡
Me and Hoomum are busily packing our nest up - ready for the next part of our fund-raising adventure. We're truly-ruly grateful for the donations that are still coming in. I will see you soon but in the meantime here's a little song to put a smile on your dial 🎶
Dinosaur-size thankies to all the flaptabulous hoomans who have donated to my Givealittle mission over the last few weeks. With the loss of our super-hero Hoopop 12 months ago while walking for charity, Hoomum has had to deal with legal-eagle matters, which have brought our crawlie-walking mission to a temporary stand-still. But we hope to get going in the coming weeks so we can raise the second half of our $25,000 goal for HUHANZ. Meanwhile, I've had a check-up with the birdy-doctor who has given me a clean bill of health ready for the next adventure!
Wishing everyone the flappiest-happiest Christmas! Thankies for all the support and encouragement you've given me and Hoomum, and of course all the flaptabulous donations you've made to my Givealittle page. I know my chosen charity HUHANZ appreciates every dollar you've given, especially as 2025 has been eggstremely difficult for so many people. I love you all and will see you in 2026 🧡
Thankies to the flaptabulous hoomans who donated to my Givealittle page in memory of Hoo-pop's heavenly hatch-day! The current total raised is $12,800 (from our goal of $25,000 or a bazquillion if I keep my claws and eyes crossed haha). Hoomum and I are so very grateful - especially while we're dealing with dinosaur-size changes where we nest! This is causing a big delay in the completion of my epic Kiwi adventure, but I give you my birdy-word... we will get this done! I'll see you out there very soon 🧡
With the sudden loss of our hero 'Hoo-pop', our charity walkies and fundraising efforts came to a bird-screeching halt! But with floofy-feathered thankies to our generous supporters, we've made it over the half-way mark of our $25,000 goal for HUHANZ, and are almost ready to shake our tail feathers again (if the weather lets us) and complete our epic Kiwi adventure. The biggest thankies to all our birdiful supporters for everything 🧡
As thankies for your donations and support, I will kiss my feathered butt farewell and let myself get shot out of a cannon... eeeeekkk!!! 🪶🪶
Here I am at the start of Tongariro Alpine Crossing, having fun exploring one of the huts on the trail. Me and Hoomum didn't climb Tongariro this time (we did this 2 years ago), but were here to support some good eggs ticking this adventure off their 'must do' list 🧡
I will not be deterred in my singing... with this special 'thankies song' going out to all you good eggs who have recently donated to my Givealittle page in memory of my super-hero 'Hoo-pop'! I'm also truly-ruly grateful for all the birdiful comments and messages about him, and other wonderflap support we've received. The last few weeks have been very tricky-dickybird for me and Hoomum, but we'll soon be on our feet and claws ready to get fundraising again for HUHANZ. Your donations have got us very close to $10,000 so big floofy-feathered thankies to you all 🧡
After a 6 day hike while fundraising in the South Island for HUHANZ, Hoo-pop (Andy) passed away during his sleep. We are completely devastated but have been comforted by the outpouring of love from those following our epic Kiwi adventure. We truly appreciate the donations made on our Givealittle page in Hoo-pop/Andy's memory. Ollie The-Cockatiel and Hoomum (with Hoo-pop watching over us) will continue our mission (in a few weeks) to raise $25,000 (or more) for the animals of HUHANZ, and are confident that with your encouragement, love and generosity, we will reach our goal. Thank you for your kindness and 'sharing the love' 🧡
Thankies to the good eggs of Wanaka... $72 in donations while outside wonderflap Mitre10 Mega 🧡
We stayed in a campground in Cromwell, parked next to a small van. While we were getting ourselves organized, the lady in the van popped her head out to say hello. We got chitty-chatting and mentioned we were in the area to raise money for HUHANZ. A few minutes later she gave us a red, Chinese 'money' envelope for my Givealittle mission. Hoomum didn't want to accept it as the lady was living in her van and needed the money more. But was told "money attracts money". Thankies to Cheryl... the birdiful lady in the van 🧡
Having finished crawlie-walking the North Island as part of my epic Kiwi adventure, I'm now in the Sunny South! Since arriving, more than $600 has been donated to my Givealittle page for HUHANZ 🧡
Big thankies to all of you who have donated to my Givealittle page for HUHANZ. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!
While drumming up donations at Buzz Cafe Wellington with Hutt Radio 88.3FM, birdiful Maia popped in to see me and gave me a clawsome picture she had drawn of me! I was absoloodely-doodily tickled-pink 💗
...it's about 'giving a little' to help a community, making new friends, supporting different groups who are doing great things, and 'sharing the love'. I loved my morning with the clawsome Petone Beach Cleanup Crew, picking up rubbish around the Porirua Inlet!
Stopped for a cuppa walking from Naenae to Wellington, and met these lovely hoomans who gave me $10 for my Givealittle page 🧡
Thankies to the good eggs who flapped their way to Viv's Kitchen to say hello, and for the flaptastic $203 in my HUHANZ donation bucket. Extra thankies to the birdiful hoomans who donated to my Givealittle page later that day 🧡
Attempting to section-hike the length of New Zealand is hard work for a crippled cockatiel, but it's all for a good cause (raising $25,000 for animal charity, HUHANZ)! In the flat walks I ride shoulder-shotgun (in a safety vest and short tether). But in the hairy parts of the walk, I travel in my Celltei birdy pack which is then strapped securely on the back of Hoomum's big red backpack. I just have to cross my beak and claws that she doesn't fall backwards... eeekkkk 🧡
On a recent flying visit to this birdiful Waikato town, I made myself known at Te Aroha Information Centre... telling them all about my epic Kiwi adventure and who I'm raising money for. I'm looking forward to returning to Te Aroha in a few weeks with my HUHANZ donation bucket 🧡
'Sea Monkeys' was my latest painting auctioned for charity. All proceeds were paid to my Givealittle page to help the vulnerable animals of NZ! My inspiration for this artwork was based on my emotional journey of trying to raise and train a family of Sea Monkeys (the ad said they would be wearing crowns, play and do tricks, and smile at me lovingly from their underwater castle haha). I painted this with my claws and tail!
While I'm raising money for all the birdiful animals of HUHANZ, I also try to raise awareness of the need for feathered friends to be included in family activities! I was so flappy-happy receiving this photo of 'Buddy the Cockatiel' out on a hiking adventure with his doting young hooman - kept safe and sound in a special bird pack 🧡
This is my latest art collection painted with my crippled claws and wonky tail. These mini 'Waterworld' masterpieces were auctioned and all money added to my Givealittle page 🎨🧡
I haven't been crawlie-walking for a few weeks as winter rain and wind are not fun for a little crippled cockatiel! But with Spring just a few weeks away, I'm making lots of plans for the restart of my epic Kiwi adventure and raising money for my chosen charity - HUHANZ. I'll see you soon 🧡
This 'thankies song' is going out to all the birdiful super-starlings who have donated to my Givealittle page, which is getting closer to $5000 as part of my $25,000 fundraising mission for animal charity HUHANZ! Every single dollar you donate makes a dinosaur-sized difference 🦕 🦖 🐲 Thankies for 'sharing the love' 🧡
Here I am with birdiful Sarah from Topflite, who gifted me some millet spray after my last remaining piece fell out of my travel cage into the raging, crocodile infested Okura River! The full version of this flappingly frightening story is on my Facebook page.
Part of the Puhoi to Auckland CBD section, was crossing the Okura River which with no way over it, no way under it, and no way around it, we had to go through it! Waiting with Hoomum for Hoo-pop to cross first, we could see it was much deeper than the trail notes had stated. Having returned to carry the 2nd pack and to make sure Hoomum didn't turn tail and scarpa (she's a big scaredy-cat around water), it was now our turn to cross. I was on Hoomum's shoulder listening to her knee-high whining, waist-high sweary-words, then boobie-high whimpering. But when the water reached her collarbone and she got the feary-panics, it was every bird for himself! I grabbed her hat flap and heaved my wonky avian body up to higher ground. I figured if she was going to be swallowed up by the murky, crocodile infested depths below, I could at least float over to the shore on a hat-raft. But thankfully we made it across with all limbs and feathers intact and while we couldn't film me and Hoomum crossing (phones were safely tucked away inside the pack), Hoo-pop did get a couple of photos when we emerged from the watery depths on the other side. NOTE: my safety and welfare is paramount (Hoomum would give her life for me), and the aim of my epic Kiwi adventure is to raise $25,000 for HUHANZ through donations to this Givealittle page:
I helped Hoomum take photos of the flaptastic scenery while crawlie-walking this Auckland section of Te Araroa - (The Long Pathway), as part of my Givealittle Fundraising mission. We are so lucky-ducky to live in such a birdiful country 🧡
Walking (and paddling) the length of NZ one section at a time... this time it's Puhoi to the Britomart, Auckland CBD!
I attended the most eggcellent Easter Egg-Stravaganza, with big thankies to Epic Te Puke and Rebecca Larsen! The blustery windy weather was a bit much for my wonky tail feathers, so I wasn't able to mix and meet as many as I normally do. But good golly-goldfinch it was a flaptabulous family event! Dinosaur-sized thankies to those good eggs of Te Puke who came over and popped coins in my bucket or bought an Ollie The-Cockatiel croc charm... with $70 now added to this Givealittle page for flaptastic animal charity HUHANZ 🧡
I was a very lucky-ducky to meet these flaptabulous Kapa Haka competitors in the Te Arawa Regionals held in Rotorua recently! Very flappy-happy that my crocheted vest worked well with their birdiful dresses.
Taking my job as a 'Pet with Purpose' very seriously, my goal is to raise bizsquillions for flaptabulous animal charity, HUHANZ! But $25,000 is an eggcellent start haha! Thankies to all you birdiful hoomans, furbabies, floof-tails, furballs, and feathered friends who are helping me reach that goal 🧡
For all Cockatiel lovers and discerning wearers of rubber shoes, these flaptabulous Ollie The-'Croc'atiel jibbitz have been custom-made just for you. A portion of sale of these Croc Charms will go to HUHANZ via my Givealittle account. But get in quicksie as these are flying out the door!
Wherever I go I meet lots of flaptabulous hoomans... like the two concierges at Sky City Auckland! They were so warm and friendly, and so much fun. I was only there so Hoomum could use the loo, but I wonder if I should have disappeared into the casino to try my luck at the roulette table? Imagine winning a big chunk of money for my Givealittle page 🧡
Big floofy-feathered love and thankies to the birdiful hoomans who donated to my Givealittle page! Dinosaur-sized thankies also to everyone who bought my artwork or vests, sent birdiful encouraging messages, dropped money in my HUHA bucket, shared my posts, or voted for me in giveaways! We have a long way to go to reach the $20,000 target for HUHANZ and of course to walk the 3000km length of NZ! But I know with all of you supporting, encouraging, and helping me to get there, we as a flock will make sure it happens. I love you all 🧡
I'm more than flappy-happy to work for the money! This means I will attend a book launch, resthome visit, market day, club night, expo, home show... pretty much anything that might garner a few donations, or raise awareness for my hiking mission or charity fundraising efforts. The latest 'booking' was for Rugged Kiwi Caravans, at the NZMCA Motorhome and Caravan Show at Mystery Creek. My job was to greet hoomans and help sell merchandise. I had so much fun, made lots of new friends, and was given $200 for my Givealittle! Big thankies to the good eggs at Rugged Kiwi Caravans 🧡
While the goal is to raise $20,000 for animal charity HUHANZ, my job is to also help 'share the love'. With thankies to the good hoomans at Gillions Funeral Services, and to Lulu the Superdog, for their work with grief associated with the passing of animals, and acknowledging those birdiful animals who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
I was given two lots of Strawberry plants (thankies to Aunty Kaye and Xyphir) to sell for my Givealittle page! These were very popular, sold out immediately, and $251 from their sale added to my page for HUHANZ. Big thankies to everyone who bought my plants 🍓 (Photo is of my new feathered friend Oke who let me play with his toys while Hoomum and Hoo-pop dug up more strawberry plants to sell).
Another series of original paintings, another auction, and $320 from their sale added to my Givealittle page! Big thankies to the birdiful hoomans who bought my paintings, bid on them, shared posts, or donated directly to this page in lieu of a painting. You are all super-starlings ⭐🕊
HUHA is an established dog, cat, horse and animal rescue working for the health and welfare of animals across NZ. Based in Wellington, HUHA partners with animal welfare organisations and communities here in NZ, and in nearby countries during crises to help animals in need. We lead advocacy, rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and release work on behalf of thousands of animals of every kind each year. We believe every animal – whether native, introduced, rural or a pet – has value, and we are committed to working to ensure they can experience a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
Big floofy kisses to all you flaptabulous hoomans who have donated to my Givealittle page! Every dollar goes to NZ animal charity HUHANZ and as I've promised to raise $20,000 to help build shelters for the birdiful animals they rescue, I truly-ruly need to reach lots more generous hoomans. Please SHARE and TAG my page to everyone you've ever met - especially the bazquillionnaires haha
I'll pretty much do anything to raise money for my charity of choice HUHA NZ. Pop over to my facebook page to see my stint on the 'catwalk' (eeekkk), showing off my flaptabulous feathered body in some of my birdiful crocheted vests.
FB: Ollie The-Cockatiel (my epic Kiwi adventure), or
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Hoo-pop said I was too noisy while he was trying to talk to colleagues on the phone, so he threw a cloth over my head to shut me up. My response... whistle louder! hahaha
Sharing some rainbow coloured love with staff and patients of Cardiac Care Ward 3, Waikato Hospital 🧡
I LOVE raising money for HUHA NZ and of course having so much flappy-happy fun on all my adventures. But what I LOVE LOVE the mostest, are the flaptabulous hoomans I meet while out and about, or connecting to via my facebook/instagram pages. So many are supporting me in lots of birdiful ways... like the lovely hooman who painted me on a rock - complete with my crocheted Waikato vest!
You can't see me 'cause I'm in my pack on Hoomum's back, but you can hear me as we walk the Waikato streets of Meremere (note the Mooloo colour of my vest haha)!
Four very lucky-ducky hoomans have added one of my birdiful mini-masterpieces to their art collection! Big thankies to everyone who bid, liked, commented, encouraged, and shared my art posts xx The auction made $350 which has been added to my Givealittle page for HUHANZ ❤
My feathered friends and their hoomans love my hand-crocheted vests soooo much, that for a short time I'll be selling them as part of a 'Pet With Purpose Pack'. $10 from every pack goes to HUHANZ via my Givealittle page! I'm wearing 'Bird-Brain Blue' but you can choose from 'Bloodfeather-Red', 'Hatchday-Pink', 'Preen Me-Green', 'Baby-Bluebird', 'Plucking-Purple', and 'Oh-My-Godwit Orange'. Pop over to my Facebook page to place an order!
As a Pet with Purpose I'm all about 'sharing the love'! Here I am in my new rainbow vest, helping birdiful Kiwi author Rebecca Larsen with the launch of her flaptabulous new book 'Strum a Tune'.
I may be a crippled cockatiel, but my wonky wee claws have just painted 4 mini masterpieces! Using the ancient cave-painting method known as 'Run and Plonk', these birdiful (if I say so myself) paintings are being auctioned off - with all money going to HUHANZ via my Givealittle page! This 'Bush Walkies' series of 4 paintings were inspired by my crawlie-walk through NZ bush and forest, while completing Northland sections of Te Araroa. They are entirely painted by me - with no help from any hooman, other than gentle 'corralling' through the paint (non toxic) and onto the canvas, with the odd 'plonk' to add effect or colour to bare areas. To bid on one of my paintings go to my Facebook page - but be quicksies 'cause the auction finishes Sunday 7pm!
After raising $4200 for Te Araroa Trust, I decided to change the charity while completing my mission to crawlie-walk the length of NZ! HUHANZ is a flaptabulous animal welfare based charity, which I've now 'adopted'. Dinosaur-size thankies to all you good eggs who have donated to my previous charity (Te Araroa Trust), and know that while they've been very quiet about receiving donations (and all the media coverage haha), I'm sure they are grateful for what we've all done. But now - here's to HUHANZ who are delighted to be onboard, as I (and my teletubby hoomans) stagger and crawlie-walk 3000km around NZ raising money, making friends with lots of hoomans, feathered and furballs, while helping to 'share the love'.