Published on 19 October 2026
This weekend saw a fond farewell to the Oamaru Public Gardens aviary birds as Jimmy the cockatoo and his remaining friends were transferred to the Fernside Feathers Sanctuary under the care of Dr Christina Abramowicz.
Earlier this year, several birds from the two aviaries were found homes within the Waitaki District after applications were sought to rehome all the birds who have been under the care of Waitaki District Council.
Fernside Feathers Sanctuary has built two large aviaries to care for Jimmy and his friends, supported by local volunteers and with plans to expand to care for a wider flock in the future.
Friends of Jimmy will be able to follow his ongoing adventure at their facebook page.
The Oamaru Public Gardens aviaries were assessed in 2025 and found to be below the required standard of structure to ensure healthy, happy birds. The recommendation in the report was to remove the aviaries or to replace the aviaries with a new build, while a similar project in Temuka was budgeted at $350,000 in 2021.
Waitaki District Council first proposed removing or replacing the public gardens aviaries in 2014, with an estimated cost at the time of around $250,000. The Council then decided to pause their removal until they were no longer serviceable. The 2025-34 Long Term Plan approved their removal. No depreciation was raised for the aviaries between those decisions.
The two aviaries will now be demolished – with more information about what will replace them available once this project has been completed.
Waitaki District Council wishes to thank all those who submitted an application to care for the birds, and wish Dr Abramowicz, Jimmy and his friends the very best for their future.
media@waitaki.govt.nz