At Metalbird, we’re not just in the business of making steel birds.
We’re in the business of keeping real birds flying.
That’s why part of every bird you buy goes to support conservation.
And one of our longest-standing partners in that mission is Forest & Bird.
But what exactly is Forest & Bird?
And why do we back them?
Here’s the story.
The Short Version
Forest & Bird is New Zealand’s biggest independent conservation group.
They’ve been around since 1923, quietly and not-so-quietly protecting the country’s:
-
Birds
-
Forests
-
Wetlands
-
Rivers
-
Beaches
-
Everything in between
Their motto could basically be:
“If it’s native, we’re saving it.”
How It All Started
Back in the early 1900s, New Zealand was in trouble.
Native forests were being logged. Wetlands drained. Birds hunted or pushed out by introduced predators.
A group of ordinary Kiwis decided they’d had enough.
So they formed the Native Bird Protection Society, which eventually became Forest & Bird.
They weren’t politicians. They weren’t scientists.
They were people who loved the land and wanted to protect it.
Sound familiar?
That’s why we like them.
What They Do Now
Fast forward 100 years, and Forest & Bird is still out there... on the front lines of conservation.
Here’s what they actually do:
Protect Habitats
-
They campaign to save native bush, wetlands, and marine areas from development.
-
They fight for legal protections when big business gets too greedy.
-
They buy up land to create new sanctuaries.
Fight for Birds
-
They protect endangered species like the Kākāpō, the Tūturiwhatu (NZ Dotterel), and the Pūteketeke (yes, the famous one).
-
They work to control predators... because rats, stoats, and cats are wiping out native birds.
-
They restore nesting grounds so birds have safe places to breed.
Plant Trees
Thousands of them.
Because no trees = no birds.
Simple as that.
Run Conservation Projects
-
Local branches all over the country get their boots muddy restoring streams, cleaning up beaches, and trapping pests.
-
Volunteers do the real work, not just board meetings.
Speak Up
When policy decisions threaten the environment, Forest & Bird speaks out.
They write submissions.
They go to court if they have to.
They stand up for the things that can’t speak for themselves.
Why We Back Them
At Metalbird, we didn’t just pick a partner for the PR points.
We back Forest & Bird because they:
-
Do the work... no greenwashing, no marketing gloss
-
Get their hands dirty... real conservation, not just awareness campaigns
-
Stick around... they’ve been doing this for over a century
-
Care about birds and places... which lines up perfectly with what we do
Where Your Money Goes
When you buy a Metalbird, part of your purchase goes to support Forest & Bird.
That money helps fund:
-
Habitat protection
-
Predator control
-
Native planting projects
-
Advocacy for species at risk
It’s not about saving birds in theory.
It’s about keeping them in the sky.
Real Impact Stories
Saving the Hoiho (Yellow-eyed Penguin)
Forest & Bird runs predator control and habitat protection projects to keep the Hoiho from disappearing.
They’re one of the rarest penguins in the world. Without groups like Forest & Bird, they’d be gone already.
Restoring Wetlands
They help bring back wetlands... places that used to be dismissed as useless swamps but are actually crucial bird habitats.
When the wetlands come back, so do the birds.
Protecting Forests
They fight to stop logging and mining in native forests.
Because once a forest is gone, so is everything that lived in it.
Why It’s Personal
At Metalbird, we’ve spent years watching birds.
-
In backyards
-
On bush walks
-
Out the workshop window
We’ve also seen what happens when they disappear.
So when we started this project, it wasn’t just about cutting steel silhouettes.
It was about making sure the real ones don’t vanish.
Backing Forest & Bird is one way we do that.
What You’re Part Of
When you buy a Metalbird, you’re not just buying a gift or a piece of art.
You’re:
-
Funding predator traps
-
Helping plant native bush
-
Supporting legal fights to protect wild places
-
Keeping birdsong in the mornings
That’s real conservation with real results.
Want to Help More?
You can:
-
Join Forest & Bird as a member
-
Volunteer with your local branch
-
Plant a tree
-
Trap a rat
-
Or just keep putting Metalbirds in backyards, knowing you’re part of the bigger picture
Because Birds Can’t Do This Alone
The Tūī isn’t writing to Parliament.
The Kākāpō isn’t running a crowdfunding campaign.
The Fantail isn’t out there planting native seedlings.
That’s our job.
And with partners like Forest & Bird, we’re making it happen.
Ready to Join the Flock?
If you want to support conservation and create a bit of beauty in your own backyard, you’re in the right place.
Pick your bird. Pick your spot. Join the movement.
Find your bird here.
Suggested Image:
A Forest & Bird volunteer planting native bush, a Metalbird silhouette in the background. Mud on boots, birdsong in the air, hands doing real work.