KIWI HOUSE FOUNDERS

The Pharmacist: Barry Rowe

Co-Founder and local pharmacist, Barry Rowe, worked as a volunteer for 13 years to develop the Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park and pioneer Kiwi Bird research.

In 1984 he was offered the position of Project Manager of Australia's Northern Territory Fauna Park at Berry Creek where he stayed for 6 years.

On returning to New Zealand he accepted a job on Maud Island monitoring Kakapo for the Department of Conservation. Then it was back to Australia to Alice Springs to develop the Desert Wildlife Park.

He returned to his Whangarei pharmacy in 1996.

In 1990 he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal which he accepted "...on behalf of all those who supported me in those early difficult days. What you have achieved has been a truly magnificent community effort."

The Bricklayer: Bob Horsfall

Co-Founder and professional bricklayer, Bob Horsfall, emigrated to New Zealand in 1960 from Malvern, Worcestershire, England after completing his compulsory military training and service in Malaysia. He was introduced to the New Zealand native 'bush' not long after his arrival.

His appreciation of our native forests was evident in his concern about the indiscriminate logging of the time – conservation issues and native forest restoration became his passion.

Bob served as a member of the Otorohanga Community Board from 1980–1986 and again in 1989 until his death in 1998, always dedicated to his conservation and preservation principles.

^ back to top