FAQ
Operations, Structure & Transparency
Public Perception & Harassment
Bird Admissions & Services
Support & Contact
Operations, Structure & Transparency
Who runs Flock Birdcare Wellington?
Flock is directed by Nyssa Skorji, a qualified wildlife rehabilitator with over five years’ experience volunteering and working across multiple avian hospitals and wildlife centres, including Native Bird Rescue Waiheke and Dunedin Wildlife Hospital. She is supported by Avian Empire, SPCA Wellington, local Vets as well as peers in the rehabilitation field. Flock is also a participating member of WReNNZ and the Rehab CoLab network.
Is Flock Birdcare a registered Charity, Trust or Company?
Flock Birdcare is not yet a registered charity, trust, or company, but we’re in the process of registering as a charitable trust. We intend to have two directors listed once formalised. In the meantime, we operate with transparent governance, clear documentation, and full financial records.
Where are you based? Are you open to the public?
Flock operates in Korokoro, Lower Hutt, beside a public reserve. Our facility includes an indoor hospital room with a range of enclosures and heat-controlled critical care tubs, a small outdoor aviary, and a sheltered area for ducks and poultry. We are currently fundraising for a large flight aviary, which will meet the Department of Conservation's minimum size requirement of
3 x 2 metres.
We are not open to the public, and all admissions must be pre-approved.
Do you provide vet care or work with vets?
Yes. Flock works closely with the avian veterinary team at Avian Empire, who provide medical oversight and assist with diagnostics, treatment plans, and humane euthanasia when necessary. Most wildlife admissions are treated in-house, with veterinary support as needed.
Where possible, we prefer to receive admissions via the SPCA or local veterinary clinics, particularly when radiographs or initial assessments have already been completed. This allows us to provide the most informed care and give each bird the best possible chance of recovery.
Do you charge for your services?
We do not charge for wildlife admissions. However, pet and domestic bird cases (e.g. chickens, doves, finches, lorikeets, cockatiels) are treated as private veterinary admissions. These require a consultation with Avian Empire, and standard fees apply. If a consultation has not been arranged prior to admission, we will organise one on the owner's behalf and pass on the associated charges.
Donations are always appreciated to help support the ongoing care of all birds at the facility.
How is Flock funded? Can I donate?
Flock is funded through public donations (via Givealittle), small grants, and generous in-kind support from the community. All veterinary services, time, and expertise are donated by our partners at Avian Empire.
Yes, you can absolutely donate, and your support directly helps us provide food, medical supplies, and housing for the birds in our care. Visit our Givealittle page or see the Donate section on our website.
Do you have a DOC Wildlife Act Permit, and what’s your permit number/status?
Yes. Flock Birdcare Wellington operates under a Department of Conservation (DOC) Wildlife Act Authority, Permission No. 120038-FAU. Our permit authorises the rehabilitation of all species listed in our approved Species Management Plan, including both native and non-native birds. This includes tūī, kererū, kingfishers, grey warblers, silvereyes, fantails, and paradise ducks.
Are you permitted to care for wildlife?
Yes, we are permitted to care for all bird species included in our DOC-approved Species Management Plan. This covers both native and non-native birds such as tūī, kererū, kingfishers, grey warblers, silvereyes, fantails, pigeons, blackbirds, quail, finches, ducks, and chickens. Our facility has been inspected and approved by both the SPCA and DOC to ensure that all birds in our care meet national welfare standards.
Can I verify your DOC permit status?
Yes. While DOC does not list all permit holders online, you can request confirmation directly by emailing permissionsupdates@doc.govt.nz.
Please include the following details in your enquiry:
Flock Birdcare Wellington – Permission No. 120038-FAU
Bird Admissions & Services
Can I bring you a bird I found?
All admissions require pre-approval. Please contact us first by phone ( 0211955509 ) or message with photos and a description of the bird’s condition. If the bird is within our care scope and we have capacity, we’ll provide drop-off instructions and next steps.
What kinds of birds do you accept?
We care for both native and non-native birds listed in our Department of Conservation (DOC) Wildlife Act Authority,
Permission No. 120038-FAU. This includes tūī, kererū, kingfishers, grey warblers, silvereyes, fantails, paradise ducks, city pigeons, blackbirds, quail, finches, and chickens.
We do not accept raptors or seabirds. Only birds listed in our approved Species Management Plan can be admitted for care.
Do you take pet birds such as parrots or chickens?
We may accept small domestic parrots (e.g. lorikeets, cockatiels) and chickens on a case-by-case basis. These admissions are treated as private veterinary cases and must include a consultation with Avian Empire. Standard fees apply. For more details, please visit our Services page.
What if it’s an emergency?
In an emergency, such as severe wounds or blood loss, owners should contact their local veterinarian or SPCA, as we are not equipped to triage or treat critical injuries. If the bird is stable and does not have any broken bones, or has already had the necessary radiographs, we may be able to assist. If a prior consultation with Avian Empire has not been arranged, we will organise one upon admission and include the associated charges.
Do you accept native species like kererū and tūī?
Yes. Flock Birdcare Wellington is authorised under a Department of Conservation (DOC) Wildlife Act Authority, Permission No. 120038-FAU, to care for native bird species including tūī, pīwakawaka (fantail), tauhou (silvereye), riroriro (grey warbler), kōtare (kingfisher), and paradise ducks.
Approval to accept kererū is pending completion of our second flight aviary, which will meet DOC’s minimum flight space requirements.
What happens to birds after they’re admitted?
Admitted birds receive species-appropriate food, housing, enrichment, and medical care. Once stable and flight-ready, they are moved to the aviary for conditioning before release. Whenever possible, we keep the finder updated and aim to return the bird to its original territory.
If a bird is assessed as unable to make a full recovery that allows for a good quality of life and survival in the wild, it is humanely euthanised in accordance with established veterinary and rehabilitation standards.
Do you take city pigeons?
Yes, we accept city (feral) pigeons. However, if the bird is deemed unreleasable or unable to fly, it is our policy to humanely euthanise. Flock is a rehabilitation facility, not a sanctuary, and we are unfortunately unable to take on the long-term costs or care needs of permanent residents.
If the finder is willing to adopt the bird or arrange a suitable home, we are happy to offer rehabilitation care and support at no charge. Otherwise, euthanasia is carried out in line with veterinary and welfare standards to prevent ongoing suffering or poor quality of life.
How many birds can you care for at once?
Flock caps its caseload at 25 birds at any one time. Patient numbers are adjusted based on age, species, and the level of care required. Our priority is always maintaining high standards of welfare and individualised, species-appropriate care over patient volume.
What are your care standards or qualifications?
Flock adheres to the Department of Conservation's (DOC) Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitators, which outline the essential requirements for anyone caring for native species in Aotearoa. These include protocols for hygiene, disease screening, initial examination, stabilisation, and intensive care.
We also follow the WReNNZ Minimum Standards for Rehabilitators, which complement DOC guidelines and reflect best practice within New Zealand’s wildlife rehabilitation community. Together, these frameworks ensure that all birds in our care receive high-quality, ethical treatment based on up-to-date practices.
What do you feed the birds?
At Flock Birdcare, each bird receives a nutrient-rich, varied diet tailored to its species. This includes fresh produce, specialist avian products, and live insects from our on-site insect farms. We raise mealworms and crickets to provide fresh, enriching protein sources.
We also collect cuttings from native trees and berry-producing plants on the property to introduce natural foods and foraging enrichment into hospital tubs and enclosures. Native foliage helps fledglings develop essential feeding behaviours in a safe, controlled environment, a crucial step in preparing for release
Public Perception & Harassment
Why are there negative posts online about Flock or Nyssa?
We are aware of an ongoing smear campaign targeting Flock and our director, Nyssa Skorji. These false and misleading claims often originate from individuals associated with a former wildlife facility whose Department of Conservation (DOC) permit was revoked in April 2025.
The founder of that facility was convicted of assaulting multiple women, including Nyssa. Despite the public nature of these convictions, some of his supporters continue to spread misinformation in an attempt to discredit her and the work we do at Flock.
Court ruling – NZPSPLA 057/2025 (justice.govt.nz)
How are you responding to misinformation or smear campaigns?
We remain focused on our mission and continue our work with integrity, compassion, and full transparency. Despite ongoing attempts to discredit Nyssa and Flock, we are committed to providing high-welfare care for every bird that comes through our doors.
A false police report was previously filed accusing Nyssa of stealing veterinary medications and misusing funds. These claims were thoroughly investigated and found to be baseless. The timing of the allegations, which coincided with Nyssa’s efforts to expose misconduct at another facility, is widely regarded as retaliatory.
We will not be deterred by misinformation and continue to serve the community and the birds with the support of our veterinary partners and peers in the rehabilitation field.
What are you doing to stay accountable and transparent?
We operate with full transparency, oversight, and detailed documentation for every patient in our care. We let our work and values speak for themselves and welcome direct contact from anyone with questions or concerns.
Our DOC species proposal plan is publicly available to download from our website, and we’re always happy to share more about our practices, protocols, and care standards.
What should I do if I see defamatory comments about Flock online?
Please take a screenshot, note the platform and location (e.g. a Givealittle comment or Facebook post), and email it to us. You can also report the content directly to the platform. We take these reports seriously and will follow up where appropriate.
Support & Contact
How can I donate or support Flock?
Visit givealittle.co.nz/org/flockbirdcare or our donate page to contribute. You can also email us a Flockwellington@gmail.com if you’d like to contribute food, towels, or aviary materials.
Do you accept volunteers?
Yes, on a limited basis. We welcome reliable volunteers to help with tasks such as food preparation, cleaning, gardening, and produce pickup. Full training is provided, and no prior experience is required.
Volunteers must be calm around animals, able to follow instructions carefully, and able to travel to our Korokoro facility. We’re located near a public transport stop for convenience.
How can I get in touch?
What are your opening hours?
Mon - Fri - 9:00 am - 5.30 pm
Sat - Sun - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm