Ngā Mana Nature Reserve needs funding to support the on-going, ever-increasing demands of maintaining a Nature Reserve. Maintenance of the enclosures, revegetation, pest management, bridges and raising chicks for release all are realities that have increasing on-going costs. We hope to secure the next 50 years and into perpetuity as we continue to connect people of all ages and demographics with nature. Our kaupapa is rooted in the Trust’s goals to preserve and enhance native forests so that their inhabitants can flourish. Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is one of the oldest breed-for-release programmes in the country, and we are supporting local predator-free intiatives to realise the vision that native wildlife can be restored to its natural habitat. 

Since inception Ngā Manu has partnered with DOC and others in many breed-for-release programmes which seek to re-establish at risk species of birds and reptiles into the wild. This has seen us participate in breeding programmes for kiwi, whio, pateke/brown teal, kāka, orange-fronted, red-crowned, yellow-crowned and Antipodes Island parakeet, and tuatara to name a few.

In addition to these programmes Ngā Manu has a long history of involvement in the treatment and rehabilitation of native bird species which are brought to us by the local community. Our aim is to release as many birds as possible back into the wild. We are also deeply committed to the health of the lowland swamp forest remnant which prompted the original Trustees to take an interest in the site. One way we do this is through our volunteer-led programme of pest control. This effort is increasingly important as Ngā Manu becomes an isolated oasis in a changing landscape. We consider the most important first step of any successful conservation to be strengthening the connection between people and the natural world. The Reserve is a regular destination for school groups of all ages. Staff and volunteers introduce and/or guide our visitors into deeper connections with the natural world through regular tours and special presentations. We utilise our functions space Robins Nest as a classroom when needed. Over the years many researchers have based their studies at Ngā Manu. These have involved both our captive holdings and aspects of the Reserve at large. We support the research through grants offered through Victoria University and Massey Palmerston North, as well as offering Theo’s Cottage as on-site accommodation to researchers.Here is a short video about the work Ngā Manu has been doing: https://vimeo.com/754943588/0a8553043a