Construction of new breeding facility for endangered bird charges ahead in Timaru

Saturday, 21 February 2026

Ron Lindsay of the New Zealand Raptor Trust pictured near the captive falcon breeding facility in Timaru on Thursday afternoon.

Construction of a new captive breeding facility for the endangered New Zealand falcon/kārearea is in full swing at the Timaru-based New Zealand Raptor Trust.

In June, the trust was issued a permit by the Department of Conservation (DOC) allowing it to develop a falcon captive breeding programme.

The Permanent Captive Holding for Species Management permit was the third of its type in the country.

Trust chair Jenni Fraser said it was hoped the facility would be ready between March and April, for its soon-to-be resident falcons, Stella and Jet.

“We have set an ambitious time frame to get the facility up and running to allow Stella and Jet to get settled before they think about breeding,” Fraser said.

The trust’s chair Jenni Fraser said they hope to have the facility ready between March and April for its soon-to-be resident falcons, Stella and Jet. Pictured is Ron Lindsay.

“There are engineers out there cutting doors and windows, and there’s others lining the inside of the enclosure, and painting will commence soon.”

The build was being managed by Stu Heap Building and the trust.

“We are prioritising the work that needs to be done to make sure at least one half of the enclosure is good to go for the birds in case we run out of funds.”

Fraser said many South Canterbury businesses, and one from Christchurch, had backed the project by donating their time or material costs.

“We could not have got as far as we have without them,” she said.

NZ Raptor Trust chair Jenni Fraser said many South Canterbury businesses, and one from Christchurch, had backed the project. Pictured is the falcon enclosure.

The facility had been made using shipping containers, and would be divided into six enclosures, housing five breeding pairs and up to 11 birds.

The New Zealand falcon/kārearea was named Bird of the Year in 2025.

The Timaru programme had gained momentum with the arrival of Stella, who was found injured at Cannington, South Canterbury, in 2023.

Bonnie, pictured in September, could be Stella and Jet’s neighbour at the captive breeding facility in Timaru. (File photo)

Stella was assessed by the trust and spent weeks in intensive care as she recovered, but ongoing health issues meant she could not be released back into the wild.

Stella had been living at the Kārearea Falcon Trust in Blenheim, where she had partnered with Jet, since 2024.

The breeding programme aimed to ensure falcons not suitable for release were paired to help improve population numbers.

Stella and Jet may have another falcon, Bonnie, as their neighbour.

Fraser said Bonnie had been found in a chicken coop in Woodbury in 2025 with an eye injury and had been in the trust’s rehabilitation programme since.

“We are in conversation with DOC to possibly make her another tenant in the facility.”

Fraser said the trust was still looking for donations to help pay for the facility’s kitchen fit-out, safety/hygiene equipment, a computer and desk, seating and display boards, and exterior planting.

Those wanting to donate could contact Fraser or visit the trust’s social media page.