Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery

Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery is a world-class rehabilitation facility where visitors can get up close and personal with endangered native birds. There's nothing else quite like it in New Zealand.

A painted pou on a path leading to the aviaries, flanked by boulders, native grasses and flax.

This project is an exciting opportunity for Palmerston North to contribute to the conservation and protection of our native species. Located in Victoria Esplanade, the centre houses permanent breeding and inflight aviaries alongside nine rehabilitation aviaries for some of our most endangered species, including kiwi, takahē and yellow-eyed penguins. 

Massey University's wildlife technicians provide on-site care for native birds after treatment at Wildbase Hospital before they're released back into the wild. Each bird has its own story, and visitors can learn about their injuries, treatment and recovery.

Around 40 per cent of the patients are on the Department of Conservation list of rare and endangered species. They present with injuries and illnesses that are too complicated to be treated anywhere else in New Zealand. 

Wildbase is also home to the Powerco Education Centre, aimed at introducing youngsters to conservation through a fun, bilingual education programme.

The facility is free to the public.

Plan your visit and more on the Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery website.

Children inside the education centre, which is fitted out with playful sculptures of trees and birds.

Facility wins architectural design award 

Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery has won the Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award in the 2019 Taranaki/Whanganui/Manawatū ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards.

The judges said the design by Susie Elms of Chapple Architecture has an uncompromising attention to detail. 

"The centre is sympathetic to its park environment, despite being enclosed within a large concrete and steel-capped predator proof fence. The design creates a world and invites discovery."