About the Avian Empire Charitable Trust

Building a Better Future for Bird Health

The Avian Empire Charitable Trust (CC63205) is a New Zealand-registered charity dedicated to improving bird health through specialist veterinary care, education, rehabilitation, research and conservation.

Our long-term vision is to establish New Zealand's first dedicated not-for-profit avian hospital, a place where birds can receive expert care, knowledge can be shared, and future generations of bird health professionals can learn and grow.

While building the hospital is our flagship project, our work extends far beyond a single building. We support initiatives that improve bird health today while laying the foundations for a stronger future for birds across Aotearoa.

Why We Exist

Bird health in New Zealand doesn't fit neatly into the systems we've built around it.

Companion birds, backyard poultry, commercial flocks and wildlife are often cared for separately, despite sharing many of the same diseases, challenges and opportunities. Bird owners, veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, researchers and industry all hold important pieces of the puzzle, yet too often those pieces remain disconnected.

The Avian Empire Charitable Trust exists to help bring them together.

Through education, collaboration, research and practical veterinary initiatives, we aim to improve bird health across New Zealand while building long-term infrastructure that benefits both birds and the people who care for them.

Meet the Trustees

The Trust is led by a diverse Board of Trustees with expertise in avian medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, design, marketing, governance, mapping technology and strategic planning.

Together, the Board provides the clinical, operational and governance experience needed to help guide the Trust's long-term vision.

  • bird health expert

    Jemma McLean (Founder and Trustee)

    Co-founder of Avian Empire Charitable Trust and Avian Empire Ltd, and the driving force behind its vision to improve access to avian healthcare across Aotearoa. With a strong background in bird welfare, product development, and community education, she has built national networks supporting bird owners, rehabilitators, and industry. Jemma brings strategic leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to creating practical solutions that strengthen the future of bird health in New Zealand.

  • Sam Hurley (Founder and Trustee)

    Dr Sam is co-founder of Avian Empire Charitable Trust and Avian Empire Ltd, and plays a key role in advancing its mission to strengthen avian healthcare and conservation across Aotearoa. With a background in wildlife ecology and advanced training in avian medicine, he brings extensive clinical experience working with species ranging from commercial poultry, and backyard flocks to native wildlife. Sam combines scientific rigour with practical conservation, helping guide the Trust’s work in disease surveillance, rehabilitation support, and the development of New Zealand’s first fully not-for-profit avian hospital.

  • Gordon Morris (Trustee)

    Army veteran, father of two, and founder of a specialist mapping enterprise. After working with Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research as a remote sensing scientist, I brought into service the specialist mapping technologies into the New Zealand army. As a commissioned officer, I subsequently held roles of the National Coordination Officer for the ABCA Armies Standardisation Programme and Executive Officer of the army’s simulation centres. I've had operational service in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and East Timor, with staff duties in the Kingdom of Tonga and in Washington D.C. 
    I'm currently the principal of a consulting firm providing support to uncrewed vehicle (drone) operators with specialist map production based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

What We're Building Today

  • Building New Zealand's First Dedicated Not-for-Profit Avian Hospital

    We're building the hospital in carefully planned stages, with our current fundraising focused on establishing the Founding Clinic.

  • Education

    We're developing practical educational resources, webinars and training opportunities to help bird owners, wildlife rehabilitators and veterinary professionals improve bird health.

  • Partnerships & Collaboration

    We're building relationships with veterinarians, wildlife organisations, companies, industry, researchers and community groups to strengthen bird health across New Zealand.

  • Growing the Trust

    We're establishing the governance, infrastructure and partnerships needed to ensure the Trust can deliver meaningful projects for years to come.

The Avian Empire Trust Not-For-Profit Hospital

We’re raising funds to build New Zealand’s first completely not-for-profit avian-only hospital, a purpose-built facility in Auckland dedicated to treating pet, wild, and rehabilitating birds.

The hospital will provide expert veterinary care to the public, supported by a specialised rehabilitation wing for all bird species, from native wildlife to backyard chickens.

It will also serve as a teaching and research hub, training the next generation of avian veterinarians and wildlife professionals while advancing knowledge in avian medicine, welfare, and conservation.

Step One: Secure the Founding Clinic: $100,000

So far, we've raised $15,139 towards Step One of Phase One. Our first milestone is to secure a portable clinic building, allowing us to establish the Founding Clinic on a generously provided temporary site. Once we secure our permanent home, the clinic will relocate to become the hospital's dedicated quarantine and isolation facility.

15%

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Other Ways to Give

If you'd prefer to make a direct donation, you can contribute via bank transfer using the details below.

Account Name:
Avian Empire Charitable Trust

Bank Account:
38-9027-0048064-00

Please use your name as the payment reference where possible so we can acknowledge your generosity.

Thank you for helping us build a better future for bird health across Aotearoa.

Need a donation receipt?
If you require a receipt or have any questions about your donation, please contact us at charitable.trust@avianempire.co.nz