The Trust

The fully independent registered charity was launced in November 2002 by New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Helen Clark.

BNZ Save the Kiwi builds on the ground work laid by the Kiwi Recovery Programme, which began in 1991 to prevent the extinction of kiwi on mainland New Zealand.  

Back then, we did not know how many kiwi there were, where they lived, or what threatened their survival. Now we can answer all these questions and more.

As well, huge strides have been made in raising people’s awareness about kiwi, and raising money. But more needs to be done.

As part of its commitment to kiwi, BNZ is supporting the trust financially and by encouraging staff to volunteer for kiwi projects. It is also lighting a fire under fundraising efforts to support the ever-growing efforts to save kiwi.

The Trust’s aims

By providing nationwide leadership and support via a powerful public-private partnership, the Trust aims to protect kiwi and their natural habitat, and ensure the species flourish for generations to come.

To that end, it allocates funding to hands-on kiwi projects, raises sponsorship dollars, increases public awareness about the plight of kiwi and works alongside kiwi experts to provide resources, advice and best practice guidance to all those working to save New Zealand’s national bird.

It also invests in research and the development of management tools and techniques.

It has eight trustees.

If you would like any further information about the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust, please contact its executive director, Michelle Impey, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .