One of the last straws was the requirement for bird flu protocol<\/a> and restrictions to prevent it getting into the centre.<\/p>\n Robert thought the restrictions were over the top, given bird flu had not been found in Northland yet<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s added more pressure on to us, which we don\u2019t need.\u201d<\/p>\n To help meet the requirements, the charity\u2019s committee hired chief executive Carl Ashworth, who has worked at Auckland Zoo<\/a> and BirdCare Aotearoa.<\/p>\n Robert admitted Ashworth would be very good for the centre.<\/p>\n The changing of the guard also came after the Department of Conservation fined the centre $400<\/a>, after Robert allowed a visitor to briefly hold a kiwi chick.<\/p>\n DoC said only approved handlers, such as Robert, were allowed to handle kiwi and the fine came with a warning about four other breaches.<\/p>\n Robert said support from the public to pay the fine<\/a> showed overwhelming support for his and Robyn\u2019s work.<\/p>\n He said both he and Robyn had been unwell this year, including him needing heart surgery and returning to the centre the next day.<\/p>\n The long hours were taking their toll as the couple neared 80, Robert said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as Robyn and I are concerned, we\u2019ve done our bit<\/a>. We\u2019d like to think that the centre can still carry on running,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt gives us a bit more time to have freedom, and peace and quiet. It was not unusual for us to be there until 2am.\u201d<\/p>\n While Robyn was paid for a few hours a day in the end, Robert never received a wage<\/a>, saying he wasn\u2019t there to make money.<\/p>\n Robert thought part of the success was the way he and Robyn worked together as a couple, with the pair never arguing.<\/p>\n It made it easier to spend long hours at the centre<\/a>, including Sundays and Christmas Day, he said.<\/p>\n While Robert was pleased to receive awards, including being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit<\/a> in 2020, he was sad Robyn had missed out.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really annoyed me because women always miss out. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was good for the centre though; people could see what we had achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n Robert and Robyn Webb with their favourite, Sparky the Kiwi. Photo \/ Karina Cooper<\/p>\n
Robert Webb says volunteers and donations helped Whang\u0101rei Native Bird Recovery Centre and its most popular patients. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
Robyn (left) and Robert Webb received plenty of recognition for their volunteer work, including a sculpture of Robert releasing an albatross at Tutuk\u0101k\u0101. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n