Rotokawau Aviary Trust

Friends of the Aviary is new community trust set up to preserve the Rotokawau Virginia Lake Aviary in Whanganui, New Zealand.

The Aviary has been treasured by the local community and tourist alike since 1979. It is unique in that it is one of few free to view walk through aviaries in New Zealand. It is home to an array of cheeky and chatty parrots from lorikeets to cockatoo’s and many more in-between.

In 2024 Whanganui District Council voted to shut the Aviary, this lead to the Trust being created in order to try and safe the Aviary with the idea of purchasing and running it. The tough financial climate for many charities along with finicky contract clauses (Aviaries are hard to sell and insure) the sale was delayed.

In September 2025 Council voted to retain ownership of the Aviary and work in partnership with the Friends of the Aviary (The Rotokawau Aviary Trust). The Council will continue the general running while the Trust will focus on fundraising for improvements and education.

It is our mission to continue to provide this wonderful city asset for future generations whilst providing best animal health practices and enriched habitat for the birds. Our education themes will not only be on the birds in our Aviary, but of the wild-life, flora and fauna readily seen around the lake as well as at home.

We are looking for crowdfunding to help keep our feathered friends happy and for these future education initiatives.

If you can help, please donate.