Young people in Odyssey Tāngata Whai Ora’s E Ara E programme are getting hands-on experience caring for wildlife, while also supporting their own journey toward wellness. Through this collaboration, rangatahi are helping Auckland’s BirdCare Aotearoa, the city’s primary Department of Conservation-permitted native bird hospital, care for injured and orphaned birds and rebuild cyclone-damaged habitats.

The E Ara E programme supports rangatahi facing mental health challenges into fulfilling work or study. At BirdCare, they are learning kaitiakitanga, actively caring for the environment - while developing practical skills in conservation and animal care.

BirdCare focuses on the clinical recovery of native wildlife and urgently needs to expand its outdoor enclosures to house its growing bird-patients. The charity is expecting a busy summer, with orphaned baby birds and patients paralysed with Avian Botulism already arriving earlier than expected.

“Each type of bird needs its own recovery space,” says Hospital Manager Jonathan Lambregts. “A flight aviary for bush birds like tūī or kererū is completely different from a coast-like enclosure for shags. Ruru and hawks are raptors, they need den-like environments to prevent further injuries while recovering.”

The Green Bay hospital was badly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, and several outdoor aviaries still need replacement. Rangatahi from Odyssey’s programme have been dismantling damaged waterfowl pens, digging trenches to improve drainage, building, and learning to “furnish” aviaries to model species-specific native habitats.

E Ara E Clinical Manager Olivia Campbell says, "Many of our rangatahi experience social isolation. By engaging in meaningful volunteer work, they develop deeper connections with their community and gain a real sense of purpose. Volunteer work can be a crucial step toward work or study, helping participants recover confidence, grow skills, and improve mental health."

“Their energy has been incredible,” adds Lambregts, “and is really helping the prompt recovery of our beautiful birds so they can be returned to thrive in nature.”

“This collaboration is about much more than infrastructure,” says BirdCare’s Fundraising Manager Dr. Rashi Parker. “It’s about connecting our people with our incredible natural environment.”

BirdCare relies on donations, contestable grants, and environmentally responsive corporate partners. They are awaiting the outcome of a Lottery Environment and Heritage grant, which would support clinical care and fund an Odyssey programme graduate joining the team.

Their current Baby Bird Season appeal on Give-a-Little is receiving heartening support and aroha, showing how valued BirdCare’s role is in Aotearoa's environmental landscape.

“Aotearoa is currently world-leading in biodiversity decline,” Parker adds. “Meanwhile, we need meaningful opportunities for young people to engage in education, training, and employment. Working together, we really can preserve wellbeing for all.”

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