KIWI HOUSE STAFF

Meet our friendly Kiwi House team:

MY NAME IS Paul

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
General Manager

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: I'm the newbie – June 2009.

I SPECIALISE IN:
All aspects of running the park. Helping the team to continue to achieve great results.

MY PASSIONS ARE:
Birds, people and opportunity.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
Tuatara.

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
Listening to my 3-year-old son trying to explain that Kiwi are related to elephants (might have something to do with the beak).

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
Seeing the smiling faces of our visitors.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
The original and best place to see Kiwi. A wonderful setting for kids and adults to enjoy themselves. And a chance to see and hear about the Otorohanga Kiwi House conservation story.

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MY NAME IS Eric Fox

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE: Wildlife Manager
(but from 1986-2009 I was the Park Manager)

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: July 1986.

I SPECIALISE IN:
Native fauna.

MY PASSIONS:
Military history, bird watching and philately.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
Too many to name!

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
There have been a number over the years, but watching my first kiwi chick hatch (which was a Great Spotted Kiwi) and being the first to successfully hand-rear a Kokako chick called "Freefall", these would have to be the most rewarding experiences.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
Simply because it is the best place to view Kiwi in a nocturnal house environment.

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MY NAME IS Dominique "Dom" Fortis

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Bird & Reptile Keeper

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: Lost count, close to gold watch.

I SPECIALISE IN:
All aspects of caring, breeding and feeding for the birds and reptiles held at the Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird park.

MY PASSION:
Working with New Zealand's unique wildlife and the great outdoors.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
Not "one" but all as each have different personalities and the Blue Duck, Falcon and Tuatara.

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
Every day has a funny moment, just look at what I work with.

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
The opportunity to work and care for New Zealand's native species.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
You too should be immersed in New Zealand's weird and wonderful wildlife. Here we give you the chance to get up close and personal giving you some "lasting memories".

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MY NAME IS Sally Fox

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Bird Keeper

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: 1986.

I SPECIALISE IN:
Bird care and feeding.

MY PASSIONS:
Working with New Zealand native birds, and the preservation of them in the wild through NZ wide captive breeding programs which the Kiwi House is part of.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
Kokako, for its magical flute-like song.

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
When our friendly Kokako "Rua" started to talk – first word "Hello", and then "Howya doing?", progressing to quite a vocabulary.

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
Participating in the release of Otorohanga bred Kiwi onto the Maungatautari Mountain in 2005.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
We are passionate about sharing NZ's unique native fauna and flora, and giving visitors a relaxing, enjoyable and informative experience on their visit to the park.

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MY NAME IS Kay

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Visitor & Retail Manager

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: 2004.

I SPECIALISE IN:
Making sure all visitors enjoy their experience at the Kiwi House and the shop is stocked with interesting and varied souvenirs.

MY PASSION:
Not telling!

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
Tuatara.

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
Sitting outside buying stock for the shop from a souvenir company and a Weka bird took off with a cushion that I was looking at buying for the shop!

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
Being part of an enthusiastic team which means coming to work is a pleasure.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
The best place to see Kiwi, native birds and flora at reasonable prices.

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MY NAME IS: Lou

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Senior Shop Assistant + Guide

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: 1997 (the first 4 years as a student and now I'm a Senior).

I SPECIALISE IN:
Guiding visitors through the nocturnal house and assuring that all visitors see the Kiwis and are happy when they leave.

MY PASSIONS:
Animals and my baby.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
Penguins then Kiwi!

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
Kay and I hate mice!! Well one got behind the counter! Kay and I were fighting over the seat to stand on while a lovely visitor got a box and caught it for us!

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
Feeding and handling the Kiwi.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
Best place in New Zealand to view Kiwi, very educational for young people and overseas visitors.

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MY NAME IS Maggie

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Administration Officer

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: 2001.

MY PASSION:
My car: a Volvo.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
I love all animals.

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
A funny moment happens every day!

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
When I did Kiwi Watch one evening, its was a great experience.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
To experience seeing the Kiwi close up under good lighting and the other birds in a lovely bush setting.

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MY NAME IS Sue

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Caretaker/Grounds Person

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: 2008.

I SPECIALISE IN:
Keeping the park clean and tidy.

MY PASSION:
I'm passionate about animals and the role they play in our lives.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
I love all animals equally!

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
Wading in the Eel pond, and looking down into the eyes of a large Eel that was looking back at me.

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
Being part of a fantastic working team of people and a learning moment at every turn.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
It's an opportunity to have a relaxed stroll through native trees and enjoy being able to see and hear our native wildlife.

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MY NAME IS Steve

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Landscape Gardener

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: 2002.

I SPECIALISE IN:
Development and maintenance of the parks landscape.

MY PASSION:
Making the park "Visitor Friendly".

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
The Kea because they are intelligent, handsome and remind me of the New Zealand back country.

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
Seeing our visitors enjoy their experience here.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
We give our visitors the chance to see, close up, birds and reptiles that they will probably never see in the wild.

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MY NAME IS Maureen

AT OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK, I'M THE:
Senior Guide/Shop Assistant

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE: 1998.

I SPECIALISE IN:
Guiding in the Nocturnal House.

MY PASSION:
The Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park, tramping and conservation.

MY FAVOURITE NEW ZEALAND ANIMAL:
Has to be Kiwi.

FUNNIEST MOMENT HERE AT THE PARK:
Oh I could not repeat that!

MOST REWARDING WORK EXPERIENCE:
Feeding the Kiwi and finding a Kiwi egg in a burrow in the Nocturnal House.

WHY VISIT THE OTOROHANGA Kiwi House & Native Bird PARK:
Lovely tranquil environment with great views of the birds and reptiles especially the Kiwi. In my opinion the best Kiwi House in New Zealand.

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