Eastern and Central Community Trust has just announced a generous $200,000 donation to support the redevelopment of our new kiwi  house.  This donation adds to the recent $300,000 donation announced by the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board earlier this year. The community trust donation also follows hard on the heels of the arrival of our 30 new kiwi from Little Barrier Island,  the single largest ever translocation of kiwi.

The community trust has always been a strong supporter of our work, having previously provided significant donations. “This redevelopment programme will help provide an exceptional visitor experience for an attraction that is recognised internationally for its captive breeding programmes. It is a great asset for all New Zealanders and particularly people in Tararua and Wairarapa,” says community trust Donation’s Manager Bev Watkins.

Pukaha Mount Bruce Chairman Bob Francis says visitors repeatedly tell them that seeing a kiwi is a ‘must do’ during trips to Pukaha. “We plan to make sure that a visit to our nocturnal house exceeds their expectations and the community trust grant will help make this happen,” he says.

This large project is the second stage of our overall upgrade programme of Pukaha facilities. Eighteen months ago, the colours, sights and sounds of an ancient forest, inhabited by huia and moa, were recreated indoors as part of a double award-winning $1.4 million redevelopment of the visitor centre.