The Kea Conservation Trust is a charitable trust constituted by Deed dated 14 February 2006, incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 on 24 March 2006 under No. 1794616 and registered under the Charities Act 2005 on 30 June 2006 under No. CC 29701. This original Deed was updated 4 August 2025 by Deed Poll, to reflect changes in the Trusts direction driven by the outcomes of our work over the intervening 19 years since our inception. Our updated vision and objectives are as follows:
About Us
What We Do
Policy and Position
Our Vision
To ensure an enriched and sustainable future for kea as a taonga species and for the benefit of kea and present and future generations of New Zealanders.
Awards
2009 CMaG/ARAZPA Individual Award
2009 Auckland Zoo Conservation Award
2012 Department of Conservation - West Coast Award
Our Aims
Our main areas of activity are research and in situ support, advocacy/education, ex situ support and community engagement. We also aim to support and contribute to the implementation of any strategies designed for the recovery of kea.
Areas of Activity
1. Research and In Situ Support
To develop and initiate research projects directed at the management of wild kea populations and their natural habitats for the benefit of kea and present and future generations of New Zealanders.
To identify local population threats and develop mitigation actions.
To provide a forum for the development and dissemination of in situ/ex situ research on issues impacting on kea and their habitats.
To encourage community partnerships to action research recommendations which support kea and their habitats.
2. Advocacy/Education
To increase awareness of conservation issues affecting kea with new and existing public and private organisations within New Zealand
To provide for and deliver a public kea advocacy/education programme to encourage community-focused kea conservation actions and support for the Trust and its activities.
3. Ex Situ Support
To promote and support best practice husbandry and welfare standards for captive kea in New Zealand facilities as per the Kea (Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual 2024, or any document to like effect.
To promote and support regulatory body audits of New Zealand kea permit holders at regular intervals to achieve and maintain best practice standards.
To develop and increase the research and advocacy potential of ex situ kea populations to support kea in the wild.
4. Community engagement
To encourage, develop and nurture collaborative affiliations among and within the private and public sectors as regards kea and their conservation.
To provide a resource for public involvement which empowers local communities and iwi to become partners in the protection of kea.
To promote a positive culture in the Trust’s activities whereby both internal and external relationships are valued.
We are a charitable organisation with a strong community focus, which is dedicated to the conservation of kea, one of New Zealands most charismatic flagship species. We achieve these objectives through partnerships with people and communities to research and raise awareness of kea, their habitat and the unique issues impacting on kea and our fragile NZ mountain ecosystems. We also investigate and initiate practical methods of mitigating impacts through promoting community conservation efforts and collaborating with relevant community groups and stakeholders.
This information is disseminated free through our website, Facebook page, email updates to over 500 subscribers and annual reports to members, community talks and presentations, professional conferences and scientific papers, and production of free education material and promotional material (DVDs/books) for schools and community groups.
Incorporated in 2006, the Kea Conservation Trust continues to develop positive relationships with international and local community groups including DOC, scientific and conservation groups, tourism operators, high country farming communities, schools, tertiary facilities, local communities and zoos. Additionally a large pool of enthusiastic volunteers provides at least 3,000 hrs annually of operational, field, education and scientific expertise.
To see what work we do, please visit our Projects page or download videos, audio and education information from our Resources page.
We need your support to secure the conservation of Kea for the future. If you wish to become a member or are able to support or sponsor the Trust in its efforts, please fill in the form provided in the Join Now page or the Help Kea page give a one off donation
