Joanne Thorne & The Bushy Park Trust

Everyone has a special place in their heart for our national icon, but Joanne is especially aware of the kiwi's significance. Her role with Bushy Park Trust will be critical in their kiwi recovery programme, which includes establishing an Operation Nest Egg (O.N.E) programme in the Waitotara Valley.

Joanne is already working part time with Bushy Park Trust, but with the Vodafone NZ Foundation behind her, she’ll be able to concentrate full-time on the conservation of our endangered national icon.

As a part of this programme Joanne will be radio tagging male kiwi (who sit on the nests) and in the breeding season removing fertilised eggs from the nest to be incubated at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua. This is an important step for kiwi recovery as up to 90% of chicks fail to reach adulthood, largely due to predation. After hatching, the kiwi chicks will be moved to Bushy Park where they will be raised until they are past their vulnerable first 6 months.

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