Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery (CETWR) is a unique experience, giving New Zealanders and international visitors a rare opportunity to engage with the stewardship of our native taonga. Located at Palmerston North’s Victoria Esplanade, CETWR comprises breeding and inflight walkthrough aviaries and nine rehabilitation aviaries, surrounding the PowerCo Education Centre. Wildbase Hospital veterinary wildlife specialists are onsite to rehabilitate ill or injured birds before they’re released back into the wild. Visitors can watch the vets in action and learn the story of each bird – its injuries, treatment and recovery.
The central feature of the space is a flock of Huia birds. Huia are sacred to mana whenua Rangitāne o Manawatū, kaitiaki of the native animals recovering here. Huia were last sighted in the Manawatū region where CETWR is situated, and were chosen as the guardian species of the centre. The Huia advocates for the need to play an active role within species conservation before it is too late. The Huia flock are presented in full flight towards the Manawatū ranges. Each bird couple is paired male and female, as both birds were involved in the raising of chicks and often found together.
The Huia birds gradually change in colour from their usual black and white plumage to pure white as they enter the realm of extinct species. Four versions of the Huia were digitally sculpted in Maya – Male/Female and Wings up and down to create visual diversity within the flock. They were then moulded and hand-rotocast before being individually painted. The sculpted form needed to reference the 2D version of the Huia shown within the education centre, but also acknowledge the transition of the design aesthetic from 2D to 3D, and complex shapes to a simpler more dynamic form. In 6 months 42,000 visitors have passed through their Central Energy Trust WildBase Recovery (CETWR) – roughly 250 people per day. CETWR is a non-profit organisation and generates funds through donations and merchandise. In the next phase of development the Huia design will be released as a set of jewelry, charms and as smaller mobile versions for purchase.
Awarded a Designers Institute Best Awards 2019
Product / Designed Objects
Credits
Design Director : Tanya Marriott
Design Team : Tanya Marriott, Chaz McManus, Taylor Wickman.
Project Managers : Adrienne Potts, Jennah Rasmussen
Contributors: Stuart Foster, Connah Hazelwood, Rubber Band
Client: Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
