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The people behind the birds...
Flock Birdcare Wellington began with one rehabilitator and a spare room, and has grown into Wellington's only independent DOC-permitted native bird rehabilitation facility. Today the trust is governed by three trustees and supported by a small dedicated team and our wonderful volunteers.
Flock Birdcare Wellington Charitable Trust is a registered New Zealand charity, Charities Registration Number CC64878, and operates under Department of Conservation Wildlife Act Authority No. 120038-FAU.
Our Trustees
Nyssa Skorji, Founder, Trustee, and Lead Wildlife Rehabilitator
Nyssa is a dedicated bird rehabilitator with over five years of hands-on experience in wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centres across New Zealand. She has worked with a wide range of species, from backyard birds such as chickens, ducks, and pigeons to natives including tūī, kererū, bellbirds, silvereyes, penguins, and other sea and shorebirds. Nyssa leads all patient care at Flock and is a member of the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand (WReNNZ).
Otis Chamberlain, Co-Founder and Trustee
Otis is a freelance artist and illustrator and a lifelong bird enthusiast. He supports the trust's governance, creative direction, and community outreach, bringing a visual storyteller's eye to how we share our patients' journeys with the public.
Dr Tanya Marriott, Independent Trustee
Tanya is a Senior Lecturer at Massey University's College of Creative Arts, where she leads the Bachelor of Concept Design programme at Massey. Her design research champions conservation and environmental advocacy, and her experience spans the kākāpō recovery programme, exhibition and workshop delivery, teaching, and fundraising. As our independent trustee, Tanya strengthens Flock's governance and education work and connects us to the wider conservation and creative communities.
Our Team
Caitlin Page Bates, Manager and Shift Supervisor
Jackson Ellison, Bookkeeper
And behind all of us, a flock of volunteers who help with feeding, cleaning, transport, and enclosure builds. Interested in joining them? Get in touch.
Charitable trust status
On 25 June 2026, Flock Birdcare Wellington officially became a registered charitable trust (Charities Registration Number CC64878). This is a milestone we are really proud of. Registration means Flock is governed by a board of trustees, reports annually to Charities Services, and appears on the public Charities Register, so our supporters can see exactly who we are and how we operate. For you, it means confidence that every donation is accountable and goes directly to the care of Wellington's birds. As a registered charity, donations of $5 or more may also qualify for a donation tax credit. If you would like to support our work, you can do so through our donations page.
Collaboration and Affiliations
At Flock Birdcare Wellington, we are proud to collaborate with Avian Empire, a skilled team of veterinarians and experienced wildlife rehabilitators. Their expertise and oversight ensure every bird in our care receives the highest standard of treatment, from initial assessment to recovery.
Want to know more about my passion for birds? Check out my interview with Avian Empire: Interview Series: Working with Birds - Nyssa Skorji.
At Flock Birdcare, we're proud to work closely with local vets and the SPCA, who refer birds needing specialist care to us. We also collaborate with nearby clinics to triage cases and ensure birds with severe injuries receive timely euthanasia when appropriate — avoiding unnecessary transport and stress. These partnerships help us provide compassionate, efficient care tailored to each bird’s needs.
Flock Birdcare Wellington is also a proud member of WReNNZ (Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand), working alongside others to uphold high standards of wildlife care across the country.
Our Goals
DOC Permit & Facility Upgrades
Flock Birdcare Wellington has submitted a Wildlife Act permit application to the Department of Conservation (DOC) to rehabilitate select native species, including kererū, tūī, pīwakawaka, tauhou, and kōtare. The application (Permission No. 120038-FAU) is currently under review. As part of this process, we’re constructing a 3x2m predator-proof flight aviary to support recovery and flight testing — a key requirement for DOC approval. Ongoing predator-proofing and habitat enhancements ensure a safe, high-welfare environment for both native and introduced species in our care.
Standards of Practice
Flock operates under a strict patient cap to ensure every bird receives species-appropriate care, tailored enrichment, and round-the-clock monitoring when needed. We never accept a case unless we’re fully confident in our ability to meet its medical and behavioural needs. Our protocols are informed by best-practice rehab guidelines, veterinary oversight from Avian Empire, and working relationships with regional clinics and DOC-authorised rehabilitators. We prioritise quality over quantity — always.
For more information on our practices and species management plans, please download the above PDF or email us at FlockWellington@Gmail.com