NATIVE NEST NZ
In the quiet beauty of Matakana, a small sanctuary hums with the soft flutter of feathers and the quiet determination of two people who have turned their love for birds into a life’s purpose.
For nearly a decade, Ian and Tomarcelle Miller have rescued birds of all kinds. But three years ago, with approval from the Department of Conservation, they dedicated themselves fully to the rescue and rehabilitation of Aotearoa’s native species.
This is no hobby. It’s a calling.
Everything they do is voluntary – driven by care, fuelled by compassion, and funded almost entirely from their own pockets. They invested nearly $10,000 of their savings to build custom aviaries and purchase specialised equipment. Since then, they’ve continued to cover the growing costs of food, medicine, and shelter upgrades.
“We are very fortunate with the amazing support from our local vets, many birds are seen by them first, some birds going in for weekly X-rays to monitor improvement,” says Ian.
Even in the quieter months, they care for up to nine birds at a time, with as many as four new arrivals each week. Last season they averaged 13 birds in care, costing around $40 a day to feed. Many require weeks or months of rehabilitation, but the results speak for themselves: an incredible 95% of birds that pass through Native Nest NZ are successfully released back into the wild.
Releasing birds back to their original territory is especially important for native species, many of which mate for life and rely on familiar environments to survive.
Today, recovering birds are often housed in their garage, or brought inside their home on cold days. Their dream is to create a warm, purpose-built space where injured birds can heal safely and calmly. “We don’t want anything for the hours we spend,” says Ian. “But we do need help with the basics.”
Every bird deserves a second chance – and at Native Nest NZ, they get just that. With support, this sanctuary's story is just beginning to take flight.
www.NativeNestRehab.co.nz | 027 233 0322