About Us

Welcome to Birds New Zealand, the popular name for The Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc. The Society was formally established at an inaugural general meeting on 24 May 1940 and incorporated in 1953.

On this page, you can find out all about the society and how we work. To find your local branch of Birds New Zealand and find out what’s going on in your area, visit Find Your Local Branch.

Birds New Zealand is committed to the study of birds and their habitat use within New Zealand through encouraging members and organising projects and schemes. Activities are organised at both the national and regional level, with 19 regions providing a local network for members to engage in bird studies. We promote the recording and wide circulation of the results of bird studies and observations through the production of a scientific journal and other publications promoting birds in New Zealand. Birds New Zealand seeks to assist the conservation and management of birds by providing information, from which sound management decisions can be derived.

Aims

Kiwi

Encourage, organise and promote the study of birds and their habitat use, particularly within the New Zealand region.

Thumbs_up

Foster and support the wider knowledge and enjoyment of birds generally.

Binoculars

Promote the recording and wide circulation of the results of bird studies and observations.

Journal

Produce a journal and other publications containing matters of ornithological interest.

Handshake

Effect co-operation and exchange of information with other organisations with similar aims and objectives.

Speech

Assist the conservation and management of birds by providing information from which sound management decisions can be derived.

Books

Maintain a library of ornithological literature for the use of members and to promote a wider knowledge of birds.

Governance

Constitution

The following five Motions were passsed at the 2024 AGM in Nelson.
Details about Motions 1 to 4 are available in the Background paper here

Motion 1
Having considered the legislative requirements set in the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and the Incorporated Societies Regulations 2023, and having regard for numerous provisions in the existing Constitution that need to be maintained it is Moved that
(a) a new constitution (“2024 Constitution”) that was circulated to all members for information and comment on 28 November 2023 be adopted by The Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc, and
(b) that the 2024 Constitution be the basis for an application to Government authorities (the Office of Incorporated Societies in the Companies Office) for re-registration of the Society in 2024.

Motion 2
In anticipation that re-registration of The Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc under the 2024 Constitution will be successful it is Moved that the existing Constitution be revoked once re-registration of the Society has been confirmed by Government authorities.

Motion 3
Having regard to the requirements of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and the Incorporated Societies Regulations 2023 it is Moved that new operational processes concerning application for membership, registration of members, obtaining and storing the written consent for each new officer to act as an officer, and for the disclosure and recording of any conflicts of interest by officers be adopted and applied by the Society.

Motion 4
In accordance with recently enacted legislation and having regard to various specifications and obligations expressed in the 2024 constitution it is Moved that the Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc. formally apply to Government authorities (the Office of Incorporated Societies in the Companies Office) to re-register the Society under the provisions of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and the Incorporated Societies Regulations 2023.

Motion 5
In terms of Rule 6.1 of the Society’s Constitution, Notice of Motion is given to members that the rate of subscriptions for all classes of Society Memberships be amended. The present and proposed amended subscription rates are listed in the Background paper here

Birds New Zealand Strategy 2015-2025 (revised in 2021)

Health & Safety Policy
Health & Safety – Guidelines for Field Trips
Hazards & Risks – Assessment and Reporting Form

Code of Conduct
Conservation Policy
Conservation Policy Background Paper

Memorandum of Understanding – The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
Memorandum of Understanding – Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Memorandum of Understanding – Marlborough Wine Limited/Toi Toi Wines
Agreement – Access to Historic Bird Atlas Data – Landcare Research
Collaborative Research Agreement with DOC: Movement and Survival of South Island Pied Oystercatchers