Share the Love of Nature This Summer — Supported by Sharalyn Fraser Agency

This summer, Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is inviting our community to come together and Share the Love of Nature — a campaign that helps gift restorative, joy-filled days in nature to local whānau who will benefit most.

With the generous support of our community partner, Sharalyn Fraser Agency, this year’s campaign includes a special commitment: for every dollar donated by the community, Sharalyn Fraser Agency will match it dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact for local families. Their contribution sits at the heart of this year’s kaupapa, enabling us to share even more moments of joy, connection, and nature with whānau across Kāpiti.

This year’s campaign will once again provide family entry vouchers and annual memberships to families across the region through our partner charities: Birthright, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Loss and Grief Centre. These organisations work directly with tamariki, rangatahi, grandparents, caregivers, and whānau navigating a range of life circumstances. A day at Ngā Manu offers something simple yet powerful: time together, surrounded by birdsong, ngahere, and the calming rhythm of the natural world.

Why We Share the Love

Nature has a unique way of restoring us. At Ngā Manu, we see every day how moments in the reserve — hearing tūī overhead, watching geckos bask in the sun, or feeding our iconic long-fin eels — can help families slow down, connect, and breathe a little deeper.

“Sharing the love of nature is at the heart of Ngā Manu,” says Anna McKenzie Hawea, General Manager. “It’s about connection, wellbeing, belonging, and extending kindness within our community.”

To celebrate the start of the campaign, Ngā Manu will again gift a Family Annual Friends of Ngā Manu Membership. We invite you to nominate a local whānau who would benefit from a year of unlimited visits.

👉 Nominate here: Share the Love Nominations

Our Partner Charities — Supporting Whānau Across Kāpiti

We are proud to work alongside four community organisations who provide essential support to tamariki, rangatahi, caregivers, and whānau across our region. Their mahi strengthens families every day — and this campaign helps give their clients a restorative break in nature.

·      Birthright — Supports single-parent and solo-caregiver families with social work, practical assistance, and programmes that help children and their caregivers thrive.

·      Grandparents Raising Grandchildren — Provides advocacy, advice, and support to grandparents and kin caregivers raising children full-time, helping them create stability and wellbeing at home.

·      Big Brothers Big Sisters — Offers mentoring and positive role-modelling for tamariki and rangatahi, helping build confidence, resilience, and supportive relationships.

·      Loss and Grief Centre — Provides compassionate support, counselling, and connection for individuals and families experiencing grief, loss, or major life changes.

How It Works

When you make a donation to the Share the Love campaign — online or at the Ngā Manu Visitor Centre — your contribution goes directly toward gifting family entry vouchers or memberships to our charity partners.

They, in turn, distribute these vouchers to whānau within our community who will benefit most from time in nature, connection, and joy.

Every donation is an act of aroha:

·         A chance for whānau to connect

·         A moment of calm during a challenging season

·         A reminder that their community cares

A Partner With Heart — Sharalyn Fraser Agency

We are incredibly grateful for the support of Sharalyn Fraser Agency, whose generosity sits at the centre of this year’s Share the Love campaign.

Sharalyn Fraser Agency is sponsoring the campaign by matching every community donation dollar-for-dollar. Your generosity goes twice as far — with every donation matched to give even more whānau the chance to connect, recharge, and experience the magic of Ngā Manu.

“We’re really proud to be partnering with Ngā Manu this summer to help more families experience everything the reserve has to offer. Giving back to the community is something we care deeply about — and we know firsthand how important it is to create opportunities for families to spend time together in places that restore and uplift them.”

“Ngā Manu is a favourite spot for our families. Being able to support this campaign and help more whānau share in that experience feels really special.”

Help Us Share the Love This Summer

Your kindness — doubled by Sharalyn Fraser Agency — helps create meaningful experiences for local families: experiences that nourish wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and remind people they are part of a caring, connected community.

👉 Donate, nominate, and learn more here: Share the Love Donations

Together, we can share the love of nature with whānau across Kāpiti this summer.