Birds New Zealand Research Fund (BNZRF)

BNZRF closed for 2025!
See below for details.

This important national research fund is managed by our Executive Officer.

The BNZRF provides financial assistance, mainly for logistics and purchase of equipment and consumables. Wages or time will not be supported. Funding ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 may be awarded. Fund payments will be retrospective and for a 12 month period only. For smaller projects, refer to the Projects Assistance Fund.

The BNZRF is open to any project that will demonstrably improve our knowledge of New Zealand birds.

Preference will be given to applications that will:

clearly be of benefit to the conservation of NZ native birds
involve research with a well-defined and measurable outcome
provide opportunities for Birds New Zealand members to assist or participate in research activities
demonstrate intent to publish at least part of the funded work in the Society’s journal Notornis.

A list of preferred themes for research projects for this year’s funding round is available here

Who can apply?

Applications will be accepted from individuals, students, researchers within universities, or organisations prepared to make a difference through ornithological research, with outcomes likely to provide for better management of New Zealand birds or their environment. The applicant has to be a current member of Birds New Zealand, living in New Zealand, and the project carried out in New Zealand or its outlying islands (e.g. Kermadecs).

How and when to apply?

While Birds New Zealand seeks new sponsorship for the Birds New Zealand Research Fund, we will not be opening the fund for applications in 2025. We acknowledge the significant impacts of this to the Aotearoa New Zealand bird research community, and wish to assure you that the Birds New Zealand Council is actively seeking new sponsorship to support this important fund. For more on this, along with a summary of research to date, see www.birdsnz.org.nz/news/new-funder-sought-for-the-birds-new-zealand-research-fund/. If you, or someone you know is interested in supporting the Birds New Zealand Research Fund, please contact Natalie Forsdick at president@birdsnz.org.nz.

Preference will be given to projects that:

Kiwi

Involve research into native species.

Involve research with a measurable outcome and a commitment to have results published

Light_bulb

Involve people learning as well as being involved

reading

Demonstrate intent to publish at least part of the funded work in the society’s journal Notornis

Chart

Lead to results that will clearly be of benefit to the conservation of New Zealand birds

Education

Involve research on topics covered in the list of suggested research projects

Current and previously funded projects:

Australasian bittern: eDNA monitoring
(Prabu Raju, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview

Black-billed gull: national census
(Claudia Mischler)
Overview

Buller’s shearwater population survey
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview

Chatham Island taiko and petrel diet
(Dr Ludovic Dutoit, Otago University)
Overview

Fluttering shearwater survival
(Elizabeth Bell)
Overview

Kiwi diet using eDNA
(Dr Lindsey Gray/Megan Jolly, Sydney+Massey University)
Overview

Long-tailed cuckoo movement
(Neil Fitzgerald, Landcare Research)
Overview

Manawatu riverbed-nesting shorebird census
(Nikki McArthur)
Overview

Moult workshop
(David Melville)
Overview

North Island fernbird: Moult and morphometrics
(Dr Paul Fisher)
Overview

Spotless crake call surveys
(Charlotte Andrew, MSc Student, Massey University)
Overview

Albatross: Diet of wandering albatross chicks
(Dr Aimee van der Reis, University of Auckland)
Overview

~~Australasian bittern: Monitoring movement~~
~~(Zohara Rafi, PhD Student, University of Otago)~~
NOT GOING AHEAD

Black petrel: Vessel-associated diving behaviour
(Maria Dussler, MSc Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article

Black-billed gull: Repeat of national census
(Claudia Mischler)
Overview Summary article

Chatham Island taiko: Foraging ecology and climate change
(Johannes Chambon, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Fluttering shearwater: Establishing and monitoring a study colony on Long Island
(Keegan Miskimmin)
Overview Summary article

Hihi: Understanding hatching failure
(Dr Anna Santure, University of Auckland)
Overview

North Island fernbird: Moult and morphometrics
(Dr Paul Fisher)
Overview Summary article

NZ Storm petrel: Numbers on Little Barrier Island
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview

Whenua Hou diving petrel: Conservation concern
(Te Arawhetu, MSc Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Australasian harrier: Parasites
(Dr. Bronwen Presswell, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Brown kiwi: Mate choice and conservation implications
(Eliana Ramos-Pallares, PhD Student, Massey University)
Overview Summary article

Chatham petrel: Foraging ecology and climate change
(Johannes Chambon, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Flesh-footed shearwater: Plastic ingestion
(Ariel-Micaiah Heswall, PhD Student, Univ. of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Mohua: Conservation genomics
(Johanna Kann, MSc Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

NZ Storm petrel numbers
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Shorebird ID and counts
(Terry Greene and Rob Schuckard)
Overview Summary article

Sooty shearwater: Conservation conundrum on Kapiti Is
(Etienne Ossona de Mendez, PhD Student, Univ. of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Tomtit: Vocalisations
(Ana Menzies, MSc Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Weka: home range and habitat use on Secretary Is
(Clare Gunton, MSc Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

White-fronted tern: Diet and survey
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Brown kiwi sex role reversal
(Caitlin McLead, MSc Student, Massey University PMR)
Overview Summary article

~~Forest bird foraging~~
~~(Liam McAuliffe, PhD Student, Victoria University)~~
Not proceeding due to major Covid delays.

Grey-faced petrel restoration
(Michael Fox, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Grey-faced petrel stress physiology
(Maira Fessardi, MSc Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Kakapo egg trait variation
(Dr James Savage, Individual)
Overview Summary article

Kakapo portable sequencing
(Marissa Le Lec, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Kakariki evolutionary history
(Dr Nic Rawlence, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

NZ Storm petrel genomics
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Petrel deaths and anatomy
(Agustina Dominguez, Birdcare Aotearoa and Ariel Heswall, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Red knot satellite tracking
(Dr Phil Battley, Massey University PMR)
Overview Summary article

Seabird foraging and isotopes
(Edin Whitehead, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Virus host jumping
(Dr Jemma Geoghegan and Professor Bruce Robertson, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Banded rail habitat use
(Jacques de Satge, PhD Student, Massey University Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Diving petrel recruitment
(Johannes Fischer, PhD Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article Published paper

Kakapo and takahe genomics
(Lara Urban, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Kiwi monitoring methods
(Emma Feenstra, PhD Student, Massey University Auckland)
Overview Summary article

~~Kokako phylogeography~~
~~(Dr Rodrigo Salvador, Te Papa)~~
Not proceeding due to issues with DNA extractions and Covid delays.

Little penguin foraging
(Inger Perkins, WCPT)
Overview Summary article

Little penguin tracking
(Kerry Lukies, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Little shearwater foraging and breeding
(Edin Whitehead, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

~~NZ Falcon habitat use~~
~~(Dr Rachael Sagar, DOC + Parker Conservation)~~
Not going ahead this year

NZ Storm petrel
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Sooty shearwater decline
(Dr Brendon Dunphy, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Tawaki breeding and stoats
(Inger Perkins, WCPT)
Overview Summary article

Banded rail habitat use
(Jacques de Satge, PhD Student, Massey University Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Bar-tailed godwit satellite tracking
(Dr. Phil Battley, Massey University Palmerston North)
Overview Summary article

Brown kiwi gut biome
(Dr. Manpreet Dhami, Landcare Research)
Overview Summary article

Diving petrel translocation
(Johannes Fischer, PhD Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article

Diving petrel diet and trophics
(Grace Tocker, MSc Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article

Fiordland crested penguin (tawaki) habitat use
(Dr. Thomas Mattern, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Fluttering shearwater health
(Edin Whitehead, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Kiwi monitoring methods
(Emma Feenstra, PhD Student, Massey University Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Rifleman dialects
(Ines Moran, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Spotted shag foraging biology
(Dr. Matt Rayner, Auckland Museum)
Overview Summary article

Tieke song, personality, parasites
(Dr. Isabel Castro, Massey University)
Overview Summary article

White-fronted tern survey
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Brown kiwi: Pair stability using eggshell DNA extraction
(David Vieco, PhD Student, Massey University PMR )
Overview Summary article

Capacity of restored forests to support native birds
(Elizabeth Elliot-Hogg, PhD Student, University of Waikato)
Overview Summary article

Database of known penguin colonies in NZ
(Kerry-Jayne Wilson)
Overview Summary article

Distribution of coccidia in kiwi
(Sarah Coker, PhD Student, Massey University PMR)
Overview Summary article

Fiordland penguins (tawaki): Population monitoring
(Thomas Mattern, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Influence of sugar-feeders on birds in gardens
(Daria Erastova, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Kiwi: Comparison of monitoring methods
(Emma Feenstra, PhD Student, Massey University Auckland)
Overview Summary article

New Zealand Storm Petrel: Conservation Genomics (Andrew Veale, Unitec Auckland)
NOT GONE AHEAD

Response of avian feeding ecology to human changes
(Barbara Tomotani, Te Papa)
Overview Summary article

Seabird surveys of predator-free islands in Northland
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Takahe: Spatially Explicit Modelling of reintroduction
(James Hunter, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Tui pollination of flax: a microbial perspective
(Manpreet Dhami, Landcare Research)
Overview Summary article

Yellow-eyed penguins: Post fledging dispersal
(Melanie Young, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Yellow-eyed penguins: Diet of YEP on Auckland I
(Chris Muller, PhD Student, Massey University PMR)
Overview Summary article

Acoustic automatic ID of species and acoustic indices
(Ivan Campos, PhD Student, Auckland University)
Overview Summary article

Australasian stilts: Genetics and evol. history
(Natalie Forsdick, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Bird calls analysis – Citizen science project
(Victor Anton, PhD Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article

Buller’s shearwater: Population and breeding biology
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Summary article

Chatham Island Taiko: Conservation genetics
(Jacqui Tizard, MSc Student, Auckland University)
Overview Summary article

Crested penguins: Genetic diversity
(Theresa Cole, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Fiordland crested penguins: Foraging
(Jeffrey White, MSc Student, Marshall University)
Overview Summary article

Fiordland penguins: Habitat+environment
(Thomas Mattern, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Great spotted kiwi: Distribution+relative abundance
(Robin & Sandy Toy)
Overview Summary article

Grey ducks: Plumage variation
(Murray Williams)
Overview Summary article

Hihi: Foraging and ecological restoration
(Caitlin Andrews, PhD Student, University of Cambridge UK)
Overview Summary article

Robins: Cognitive ability+gen. diversity
(Archie MacFarlane, PhD Student, Canterbury University)
Overview Summary article

South Georgian diving petrel: conservation
(Johannes Fischer, PhD Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article Publ. Animal Conservation Publ. Community Ecology

Weka: Effectiveness as seed dispersers
(Jo Carpenter, PhD Student, University of Canterbury)
Overview Summary article

Yellow-eyed penguins: Dispersal study fledglings
(Melanie Young, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Media Release Summary article

Brown skua: Variation in resource use+movement
(Hendrik Schultz, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article
Published papers: 2018
2021 and 2022 (available on request by emailing Hendrik)

Buller’s shearwater biology on Poor Knights Islands
(James Ross, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
Overview Poor Knight’s secrets revealed Summary article

Coccidia in kiwi creches
(Harry Taylor, MSc Student, Massey University Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Diving petrel: Foraging behaviour
(Brendon Dunphy, MSc Student, Auckland University)
Overview Summary article

Falcon: Baseline population data
(Graham Parker)
Overview Summary article

Fiordland crested penguin: Marine ecology
(Thomas Mattern, Otago University)
Overview Summary article

Gannet: Diet and predator/prey interaction
(Nigel Adams, Auckland Unitec)
Overview Summary article

Mottled petrel: Impact of translocation on chicks
(Rachael Sagar, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article Published paper

Kakapo: Palaeoecology and ancient DNA
(Alexander Boast, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Northern Kermadec seabirds
(Chris Gaskin, Northern NZ Seabird Charitable Trust)
NOT GONE AHEAD DUE TO ACCESS ISSUES.

Recolonisation by native bush birds
(Elizabeth Elliot-Hogg, PhD Student, University of Waikato)
Overview Summary article

Yellow-eyed penguin: Foraging and nest study
(Mel Young, PhD Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Yellow-eyed penguin: Fledgling dispersal
(Bryony Alden, Hon. Student, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Yellow-eyed penguin: Impacts of tourism on Enderby Island
(Rebecca French, MSc Student, Massey University PMR)
Overview Summary article

Australasian bittern: Seasonal movements
(Emma Williams)
Overview Summary article

Black-backed gulls: Ecology
(Mel Galbraith, Unitec Auckland).
NOT GONE AHEAD

Black-billed gulls: Disturbance and predation
(Claudia Mischler)
Overview Summary article

Brown skua: Habitat use and foraging
(Hendrik Schultz, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Fiordland penguin: Marine ecology
(Thomas Mattern, University of Otago)
Overview Article 2015/16 Field Season

Hihi: Inbreeding and male fertility
(Dr Helen Taylor, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Mottled petrels: Ecology and restoration
(Rachael Sagar, PhD Student, University of Auckland)
Overview Summary article

Red-crowned parakeet: Dispersal in Zealandia
(Ellen Irwin, MSc Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article

South Georgian diving petrels
(Johannes Fischer, MSc Student, Victoria University)
Overview Summary article Published paper (2017) Published paper (2018)

Black-billed gull productivity and movement
(Claudia Mischler)
Overview Summary article

Expanding indigenous habitats in East Otago
(Rhys Millar/Landscape Connections Trust)
Overview Summary article

Hutton’s shearwater foraging areas and behaviours
(Della Bennet/Univ. of Canterbury Foundation)
Overview Summary article

North Island brown kiwi genetics+community engagement
(D Acebes+I Castro, Massey University Auckland)
Overview Summary article Report Nga Kaitiaki o Ipipiri

Parasites in bird faecal samples
(Dr Bronwen Presswell, University of Otago)
Overview Summary article

Tracking shining cuckoos (Richard Holdaway, HSB Group)
Overview Summary article

HANZAB digitization for NZ Birds Online
(Colin Miskelly, Te Papa)
Summary article

Movements of Hutton’s shearwater
(Lindsay Rowe, Hutton’s S.C. Trust)
Summary article

Transfer of albatross to Chatham Islands
(Mike Bell, Taiko Trust)
Summary article

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