Back to page

Wildbase Recovery Community Trust

  • Kelvin Grove Community Association gets behind Wildbase Recovery

      3 November 2016
    Main image

    We'd like to give a huge shout out to the Kelvin Grove Community Association Inc for their extremely generous donation of $15,000.

    The Kelvin Grove Community Association is a volunteer organisation who are doing great things in their community, and we're thrilled to have their support for Wildbase Recovery.

    Left-Right: Aaron Phillips PNCC Parks & Property, Tim Gibbes KGCA Treasurer, Roger Kennedy Chairman of Wildbase Recovery Community Trust, Val Burr KGCA Committee member.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • West End Kindergarten fundraiser disco

      3 November 2016
    Main image

    A huge thank you to West End Kindergarten for shaking their tail feathers at their school disco fundraiser, raising $144 for Wildbase Recovery.

    Our trustee Rachel Bowen PNCC (and our new Kiwi helper) headed to the Kindergarten say thank you. While they were visiting, Rachel spoke to the children about how their donation will help to give our native wildlife the best chance of survival.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Central Energy Trust grant gives Wildbase the greenlight

      3 November 2016
    Main image

    Coinciding with Conservation Week, Central Energy Trust has announced a $2million grant towards the development of the Wildbase Recovery project. This brings the total amount raised to $5.6million, just over $100,000 shy of the target. The centre has been named Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery in recognition of their contribution.

    The project will now go to tender while fundraising is completed. Construction is expected to begin in early 2017 and will take around 12 months to complete.

    Central Energy Trust Chairman Rod Titcombe says the Trust has taken a keen interest in this collaboration between Palmerston North City Council, Massey University, Department of Conservation, and Rangitane O Manawatu.

    “The Wildbase Recovery Community Trust and the Palmerston North City Council have made a huge effort in raising the considerable funds required to get the Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery Centre off the ground.

    “Our Trust allows for the financing of activities or projects which are of social, educational or general benefit to the community. Given the commitment the community has made towards this worthwhile project, Central Energy Trustees were pleased to increase our earlier commitment of $480,000 to a total of $2million to the Palmerston North City Council to be applied towards the capital development of Wildbase Recovery.”

    The grant to Palmerston North City Council was welcomed by Wildbase Recovery Community Trust Chair Roger Kennedy, who says it reinforced the unwavering support of the Central Energy Trust for the project.

    “Central Energy Trust was one of our very first financial supporters over two years ago. Without their early and unconditional support the project could not have even begun.”

    Palmerston North City Council has also agreed to put in an additional $500,000, bringing the Council’s total contribution to $1.37 million.

    Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith says Wildbase Recovery will be a significant asset for the City, the region and the nation.

    “It will be a visible demonstration of our City’s commitment to the environment. Victoria Esplanade is already a major attraction. A project of this significance will be a huge drawcard for residents and visitors alike.”

    Mr Kennedy says the 2900-square-metre Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery facility will be nationally significant, and the Trust is extremely thankful to all the sponsors to date.

    “In particular, we wish to thank the Rotary and Lions Clubs, who have played critical roles in supporting and fundraising.”

    Mr Kennedy says that over the last two months additional community support has raised over $640,000.

    “We’ve been ecstatic with the amount contributed so far but that’s not the end of the story. We still have to raise over $100,000 to meet our target. We’re encouraging everyone to keep donations rolling in.”

    Public donations can still be made via the Wildbase Recovery Community Trust Givealittle page. https://givealittle.co.nz/org/wildbaserecovery/donations

    Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery will be built and owned by Palmerston North City Council and co-managed by Massey University’s Veterinary School, working alongside DOC, local iwi, Rotary, and Lions.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • DOC's Director-General, Lou Sanson visits Wildbase Recovery

      11 July 2016
    Main image

    The Department of Conservation (DOC) Director-General, Lou Sanson, was invited to meet with Wildbase Recovery representatives so that he could learn more about the national wildlife rehabilitation facility.

    Prior to his visit to Wildbase Recovery’s proposed site in the Palmerston North Victoria Esplanade, Mr Sanson called into Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital to see first hand where the rehabilitation aviaries’ patients will come from.

    It was the Director-General’s first visit to Wildbase Hospital, where last year 317 native wildlife patients were treated at little or no cost to DOC and the members of public who brought them in.

    After checking on the condition species such as Haast tokoeka kiwi and tuatara, Mr. Sanson moved on to the Esplanade site, where recuperating patients will be transferred to for rehabilitation. There, Wildbase Recovery Community Trust representatives showed Mr Sanson around the site.

    Upon completion, Wildbase Recovery will house 14 purpose-built rehabilitation aviaries, including a circular flighted aviary for species such as kaka, kea, tui and kereru, a 5m tall raptor aviary for karearea and harrier hawks, recovery pools for ocean, shore and wetlands birds to restore their waterproofing, and a place for ground-dwelling birds including the kiwi and takahe.

    Viewing of wildlife will be free for the public while they continue to receive world-class recuperation care, without intrusion. Each visit will be a unique experience, with animals continually changing upon their full recovery and release back into the wild.

    Wildbase Recovery will also include permanent inflight and breeding aviaries, and the Powerco Education Centre. Onsite and online, Wildbase Recovery will provide high quality interactive storytelling and learning experiences that link directly to the NZ School Curriculum and DOC’s national education strategy.

    DOC have contributed $175,000 to fundraising efforts, and have granted a 30-year permit, allowing Massey University wildlife technicians to give rehabilitation treatment on native wildlife at Victoria Esplanade.

    With thanks to significant grants, sponsorship agreements, and community fundraising efforts, we’re on target to start building next year”, says Roger Kennedy, Wildbase Recovery Community Trust’s Chair. “We have set ourselves a target to raise $700,000 by the 30th of July. Now is the time for everyone to get behind the project and give our native species the very best chance of survival”.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Youngster get involved in wildlife recovery

      24 June 2016
    Main image

    Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School’s Hayley Stewart attended the xrays of a morepork at Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital in June.

    Hayley was there as Manawatu MoreFM’s Wildbase Recovery Junior Journo. Her role involves reporting on the morepork’s recovery from a broken foot, as well as raising awareness for the national wildlife rehabilitation.

    Mike West in the Morning’s Gareth Pringle, Johnelle Hosking, and Mike West first met the morepork during their own Wildbase Hospital. The morepork, named Nightshade by a MoreFM listener, was brought in by a member of the public who had unfortunately struck the native owl with her car near Levin.

    Upon full bloods and radiographs the bird was found to have a fracture to its left foot. The bones have been strapped into place and the bird has been on cage rest for a few weeks.

    Hayely observed progressed xrays, taken to ensure the break is healing well, and that the bird is well enough for rehabilitation. Once established, patients such as Nightshade will be transferred to Wildbase Recovery at this stage.

    Set in Palmerston North’s Victoria Esplanade, Wildbase Recovery will provide 14 purpose-built rehabilitation aviaries and Massey University’s world-class care for native wildlife to fully recuperate before their release.

    In this morepork’s case, rehabilitation will take approximately five to six weeks before the bird is returned to the wild in Levin.

    Watch Hayley's report here: https://www.facebook.com/mikewestinthemorning/videos/10154269045427363/

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Powerco announced as Education Centre naming sponsor

      5 May 2016
    Main image

    The national Wildbase Recovery project has taken another step towards becoming a reality thanks to a $100,000 contribution from Powerco. The company will be the naming sponsor of the Wildbase Recovery Education Centre.

    “Becoming the naming rights sponsor of Wildbase Recovery’s Education Centre was an ideal fit for us,” says Powerco Acting Corporate Affairs Manager Krysti Wetton. “This is a great way we can contribute to national conservation efforts and to teach children about important environmental issues.”

    Powerco’s commitment to the environment has always been strong. Its electricity and gas networks have achieved Enviro-Mark Gold level certification and many of their offices Enviro-Mark Diamond level through the Enviro-Mark® Certification programme.

    The Powerco Education Centre will be the heart of the facility. Through a series of highly interactive, engaging and educational exhibitions, the visitor experience will be transformed from a historically traditional ‘zoo experience’ to a place of social interaction, conservation education, play and discovery.

    As well as a state of the art interpretation building, Wildbase Recovery’s online presence will provide high quality interactive storytelling and learning experiences – allowing schools and community groups the opportunity to utilise resources for their educational requirements. Run by a team of specialist wildlife veterinary staff, Wildbase Recovery will be a centre of excellence – also providing educational opportunities for university students, Rangitane youth, and wildlife rehabilitators working in other areas of New Zealand.

    http://wildbaserecovery.co.nz/news/powerco-announced-as-education-centre-naming-sponsor

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Community backing takes Wildbase Recovery's fundraising to halfway

      22 December 2015
    Main image

    A $250,000 donation from the Eastern and Central Community Trust has placed Wildbase Recovery’s fundraising efforts over the halfway mark.

    Launched last year, the Wildbase Recovery Community Trust is tasked with raising the $5.69m needed to build the national wildlife recovery facility. The Eastern and Central Community Trust donation takes the total raised so far to $2.86m. The $250,000 donation, one of the largest given by the Eastern and Central Community Trust, contributes to the educational and interpretive aspects of the project.

    “This is a nationally significant project and will contribute in a unique way to the educational and research opportunities for school children of all ages, community groups, volunteers and to veterinary knowledge.

    “We also recognise the collaborative approach being taken by a group of committed partners to make this project a reality, which provided a strong case for approving this donation,” says Eastern and Central Community Trust’s General Manager, Jonathan Bell. “We hope our donation will be a catalyst for others to contribute to this outstanding project so that the Wildbase Recovery centre can quickly reach its funding target.”

    http://wildbaserecovery.co.nz/news/community-backing-for-national-wildlife-recovery-centre

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Rugby World Cup energy needed to fight for wildlife on home turf

      22 December 2015
    Main image

    Wildbase Recovery Ambassador, Sir Graham Henry, talked post Rugby World Cup and wildlife conservation in Auckland recently.

    Hosted by Westpac New Zealand, the Wildbase Recovery event introduced guests to the national wildlife rehabilitation project that is set to take flight in 2017.

    “We Kiwis take on big international challenges and work hard to succeed,” says Sir Graham. “It’s time for us to take some of that energy and use it on home turf to win the fight for our national wildlife.”

    One in three of New Zealand’s birds are in trouble, equating to 37 per cent of our native bird species considered threatened, and 34 per cent of our endemic land and freshwater birds facing extinction.

    Wildbase Recovery will provide purpose-built rehabilitation aviaries and world-class care for native wildlife to rehabilitate from illness and injury after specialised treatment at Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital - New Zealand’s only dedicated wildlife hospital for the medical and surgical treatment of native wildlife.

    Once established, Wildbase Recovery’s nurturing environment will also allow for recuperating wildlife, such as kiwi, takahe, and penguins, to be viewed by the public. Their journey back to wellness will engage generations of New Zealanders with the conservation of some of the world’s most endangered species.

    “I am pleased to be helping bring Wildbase Recovery to life,” says Sir Graham. “If we all work together we can give our native species the very best chance of survival.” He is joined by fellow Wildbase Recovery Ambassadors Urzila Carlson, Ian McKelvie and Jamie Fitzgerald. The Governor General, the Right Honorable Sir Jerry Mateparae, is the Patron of Wildbase Recovery.

    “We were pleased and proud to host Wildbase Recovery in Auckland,” says Sue Foley, Westpac New Zealand’s Corporate Affairs Director. “Community support is something we take pride in at Westpac and we absolutely understand that preserving and protecting our native species is important to communities across the country”.

    Photos from the evening can be found on the Wildbase Recovery Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1124650840893387.1073741843.815710841787390&type=3

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Keeping up with the Kokako

      8 September 2015
    Main image

    New Zealand's first threatened species ambassador says she would have an easier job if her fellow Kiwis cared as much about native species as they did reality television stars.

    Nicola Toki, Wildbase Recovery Ambassador and newly appointed Threatened Species Ambassador, gave the keynote address at the Wildbase Recovery Conference in Palmerston North on Thursday and said the first battle in conservation was convincing people why they should care.

    Toki said most people could identify a Kardashian but questioned how many would recognise native birds such as the kokako, kaka or kakariki.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/71508646/challenge-to-make-kiwis-care-more-about-conservation-says-ambassador

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment