Welcoming the birds back to the Waimakariri District
Waimakariri District Council media release: 12th August 2025
This season, we’re celebrating the return of migratory birds with a series of fun and educational community events designed to raise awareness and support their survival.
A remarkable journey unfolds across our skies each spring. Migratory birds return to the South Island’s braided rivers to breed. Some fly in from nearby coasts, while others come from the North Island and even as far away as Australia and Fiji. These birds have been making this journey for millions of years, but today many face serious threats from predators and habitat loss.
Let’s come together to celebrate and protect the incredible birds that call Waimakariri home. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.
Creating “The Flock: Community Art and Education
We’re inviting everyone in the Waimakariri district to help build “The Flock” - a colourful, creative display of decorated bird cut-outs that will help spread the word about our native birds and the challenges they face.
Date: Sunday 31st August 2025.
Time: 10am to 1pm.
Location: Waikuku Beach Domain.
This is a FREE event – but please register to receive a bird before the event.
Contact Helen Leslie at Waimakariri District Council to receive a bird cut-out (helen.leslie[at]wmk.govt.nz) or phone 0800 900 468
How to take part:
- Decorate your bird cut-out with your whānau, school, or community group.
- Bring it along to our community event.
Local groups will be there to share fascinating insights about the birds arriving in our region and offer practical tips on how we can all help protect them.
Bird Scavenger Hunt: Spot the Birds in Your Town
From mid-August to mid-September, participating shops in Rangiora, Kaiapoi, and Oxford will display small, numbered bird photos in their windows. See how many you can find!
- Download a checklist from our website to track your sightings and discover more about each bird.
- Spot them all and you might even win a prize!
Date: Monday 18th August to Monday 15th September 2025 - during shop opening hours.
Locations: Participating businesses in Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Oxford
Cost: FREE.
Photographic Bird Display: Meet the Migrants
Visit our Rangiora Service Centre from mid-August to early September to view a stunning photographic display by local Grant Davey of the birds that return to Waimakariri each year. It’s a great way to learn more about these special visitors and their habitats.
Dates: Monday 18th August to Monday 8th September 2025.
Time: 8.30am to 5pm.
Location: Rangiora Service Centre (TBC).
Cost: FREE.
Welcome the Birds Flags: A Colourful Tribute
Keep an eye out for our “Welcome the Birds” flags flying proudly in Rangiora, Oxford and Kaiapoi. These vibrant flags are a visual celebration of the birds’ return and a reminder of the importance of protecting their habitats. They’ll be on display throughout the breeding season to help raise awareness and show our community’s support. These will be on poles in Cones Road Rangiora, Smith Street Kaiapoi and Main Street Oxford. The birds featured on the flags will include:
- Banded Dotterell;
- Black Billed Gull;
- Black Fronted Tern;
- Pied Stilt;
- South Island Oyster Catcher; and
- Wrybill.
Dates: Friday 15th August to Monday 15th September 2025.
Locations: Poles in Cones Road in Rangiora, Smith Street in Kaiapoi and Main Street in Oxford.
Wrybill/Ngutu-parore Mask: Get Creative
Pick up a Wrybill mask from any of our libraries and decorate at home.
You can also download a mask.
This is a fun activity for kids and a great way to connect with our local wildlife.