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In this episode of From the Ground Up:

  • You’ll meet Richard, General Manager of Queenstown’s Kiwi Park, a family-run wildlife sanctuary dedicated to conservation, education, and rehabilitation.

  • Discover how Kiwi Park has transformed from Queenstown’s unofficial rubbish dump into a thriving haven for Aotearoa’s native wildlife.

  • Learn how the park’s breed-and-release programmes, reforestation efforts, and hands-on education initiatives are making a tangible difference in protecting New Zealand’s endangered species.

 

Kiwi Park is an eight-acre wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Queenstown, home to over 20 native species. Founded in 1984 by the Wilson family, it has grown into a leading conservation hub, working closely with the Department of Conservation to breed and release endangered species such as whio, pāteke, kākā, and kiwi. The park offers visitors an immersive experience, from witnessing free-flight bird shows to participating in conservation efforts.
“When Granddad and Granny got the land, it was the unofficial rubbish dump of Queenstown - overgrown with blackberry broom, rusted car bodies, and waste. It took them two years to clear it, and by 1986, they had created this beautiful oasis,” says Richard Wilson, General Manager of Kiwi Park.
 

Since its founding, the park has been on a mission to protect New Zealand’s biodiversity. Through its breed-and-release programme, Kiwi Park has successfully bred and reintroduced hundreds of birds into the wild, making a lasting impact on conservation efforts. “We have a free-flight bird show where birds fly around your head as you learn about our endangered species and what we can do to protect them,” explains Jacob, a Conservation Educator at the park. “It’s a great way to engage people and inspire them to take action.”
 

Beyond its work with wildlife, Kiwi Park has also been deeply involved in restoring native bush. Over 30,000 native trees have been planted, a vision set in motion by Richard’s grandmother, who personally planted the first 12,000. The reforestation efforts have helped bring native birds like kākā, whio, and kererū back to the area. “Granny had a vision for the plant life here, and it’s incredible to see it come to life,” Richard says. “We also involve local schools and businesses in planting and conservation efforts - it’s all about creating a community-driven approach to protecting our native species.”


Looking ahead, the Kiwi Park team remains dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for New Zealand’s wildlife. “Our aim is to continue protecting and restoring our native taonga (treasured) species,” Richard says. “I want to ensure that Kiwi Park remains a fun and inspiring place for visitors while continuing our important conservation work.”
 

Kiwi Park is open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Follow their journey here.
 

From The Ground Up video series digs deep into the stories of local businesses building a regenerative future within the Queenstown community. From pioneering world-firsts to grassroots initiatives, each episode celebrates those making a difference to the environment and their communities, from the ground up.

Hear from more changemakers making a difference to Queenstown’s environment and community – watch another episode.