New Zealand Bird Rescue accepts and cares for all New Zealand birds both native and non-native. Every bird in New Zealand is a NZ bird to us. We assist thousands of birds each year (between 4000 and 5000), many being the victims of cat attacks, road accidents, pollution (such as fishing line and nylon entanglements and botulism) or human cruelty.
NZ Bird Rescue was formed in 1985 by the late Pam Howlett, the late Colleen Maingay (who had been treating injured birds for many years) and the late Piers Hayman, a prominent bird artist, environmental journalist and author.
In 2008 bird enthusiast Jocelyn Grattan formed the Jocelyn Grattan Trust. The JGT allows NZBRCT to use the property as a Wild Bird Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre at 74 Avonleigh Road, Green Bay.
The early rescue centre operators were Pam, Colleen, Hilary Stollery, Lyn Macdonald and supported with specialist avian vet Dr. Berend Westera.
The current Trustees are Jan Avey (Chairs), Jitske van den Heever, Dr Lorne Roberts, Di Patton, Alice Worsley, James Russell. Dr Berend Westera is Veterinary Advisor to the Board.