Pukaha National Wildlife Centre

BUILD

Pūkaha, meaning “windy mountain,” holds far more than its name suggests. It stands as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's premier national wildlife centres, renowned for its conservation and breeding programmes. Beyond its structured conservation efforts, Pūkaha is a sanctuary for countless native bird species, many of which are only found in some of the rarest remaining pockets of kiwi bush.

In line with Pūkaha Trust’s mission to be recognised as New Zealand's leading mainland Indigenous wildlife sanctuary, Fabric Structures was approached to contribute to this vision. Leveraging extensive experience from previous projects, including large-scale aviary installations at Auckland Zoo, the team designed, manufactured, and installed the bespoke metal mesh Francis Free Flight Aviary. This aviary not only supports the conservation goals of Pūkaha by providing a safe, durable habitat for its resident birds but also enhances the sanctuary’s role as a world-class wildlife centre.

With every step in the project, from the conceptual design to the final installation, Fabric Structures ensured that the aviary would seamlessly integrate into the natural environment of Pūkaha. The result was a state-of-the-art facility that supports the sanctuary’s breeding programmes while allowing visitors to experience the beauty of New Zealand’s rare and indigenous wildlife up close.