'We've done our bit': After 30 years saving birds, the Webbs fly the nest

The founders of Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre are stepping down after more than 30 years of volunteering.

Robert Webb has retired as manager and deputy chairman, and Robyn Webb has retired as staff manager, he said.

Robert will continue to volunteer, offering his expertise in caring for the birds, including handling kiwi.

The couple started the bird recovery centre in 1992, treating injured and ill native birds so they could be returned to the wild.

Each year, some 1300 birds were helped, from giant albatrosses to humble sparrows.

The couple were acknowledged for their tremendous work and unsurpassed dedication to the birds.

Robert was sad the couple’s work had ended, regretting the way change was imposed by the centre’s previous committee.

One of the last straws was the requirement for bird flu protocol and restrictions to prevent it getting into the centre.

Robert thought the restrictions were over the top, given bird flu had not been found in Northland yet.

“It’s added more pressure on to us, which we don’t need.”

Robert and Robyn Webb with their favourite, Sparky the Kiwi. Photo / Karina Cooper

To help meet the requirements, the charity’s committee hired chief executive Carl Ashworth, who has worked at Auckland Zoo and BirdCare Aotearoa.

Robert admitted Ashworth would be very good for the centre.

The changing of the guard also came after the Department of Conservation fined the centre $400, after Robert allowed a visitor to briefly hold a kiwi chick.

DoC said only approved handlers, such as Robert, were allowed to handle kiwi and the fine came with a warning about four other breaches.

Robert said support from the public to pay the fine showed overwhelming support for his and Robyn’s work.

He said both he and Robyn had been unwell this year, including him needing heart surgery and returning to the centre the next day.

Robert Webb says volunteers and donations helped Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre and its most popular patients. Photo / NZME

The long hours were taking their toll as the couple neared 80, Robert said.

“As far as Robyn and I are concerned, we’ve done our bit. We’d like to think that the centre can still carry on running,” he said.

“It gives us a bit more time to have freedom, and peace and quiet. It was not unusual for us to be there until 2am.”

While Robyn was paid for a few hours a day in the end, Robert never received a wage, saying he wasn’t there to make money.

Robert thought part of the success was the way he and Robyn worked together as a couple, with the pair never arguing.

It made it easier to spend long hours at the centre, including Sundays and Christmas Day, he said.

Robyn (left) and Robert Webb received plenty of recognition for their volunteer work, including a sculpture of Robert releasing an albatross at Tutukākā. Photo / NZME

While Robert was pleased to receive awards, including being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2020, he was sad Robyn had missed out.

“It really annoyed me because women always miss out.

“It was good for the centre though; people could see what we had achieved.”

As well as Robert and Robyn stepping down this week, long-term volunteer Wendy Owen and volunteer veterinarian Elaine McIlhinney also resigned.

The centre would continue to work with Mill Road Vet Clinic.

‘They’ve done a phenomenal job’

Robert and Robyn’s resignations were a shock, said Simon Reid, the new chairman of Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre Incorporated.

But he accepted they needed to look after their own health and wellbeing.

One of Robert Webb's more unusual patients was a tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin) found on 90 Mile Beach in 2019. Photo / NZME

“The work that both Robert and Robyn have done over the last three-and-a-half decades is unsurpassed by any couple.”

Reid, a Whangārei District Councillor who got involved with the committee in his private capacity about a month ago, said Robert would still be a valuable part of the centre.

Robert continued to have the centre’s vehicle so he could do pick-ups, and the couple would always be welcome to be involved, he said.

The new chief executive would broaden the knowledge that Robert brought to the centre and tidy up the protocols for bird flu, Reid said.

“There’s a whole raft of procedures that have to be put in place ... We don’t want to endanger the other birds in our charge,” he said.

“It can come back to humans. It’s something to be aware of.”

Robert and Robyn Webb showcase their special bond with Sparky. Photo / Karina Cooper

Reid said the centre would need volunteers and donors more than ever, as it continued to keep its doors open.

Former chairman John Bain said both Robert and Robyn were “stalwarts” of the bird recovery centre.

“They’ve done a phenomenal job working with the birds over this period of time. I think they’re to be credited for what they’ve done.”

The centre now needed to look ahead, with challenges like bird flu, he said.

Bain said change was needed, which was why he stepped down as chairman.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.