About Us / Our Director

• Debbie Stewart MNZM, director/Founder

   

  

  Queen Bee of Wingspan and its founding light, Debbie’s dedication to the conservation of New Zealand’s birds of prey is unsurpassed. A track record of proving the naysayers wrong, she is no stranger to hard work, thinking outside of the box, and plain and simply just getting things done.
  
  Debbie has an amazing empathy for the needs of wildlife, not only pioneering the breeding of New Zealand falcons and morepork but also having success breeding native fish, lizards and even our very own kiwi (back in the day). A diva in her own living room, she tells a mean yarn when encouraged and somehow finds the time for gourmet cooking and oil painting.
  
  Debbie has been the driving force behind Wingspan for the past 30 years, now it’s driving her. “Nothing is a problem, everything is easy... inshallah!”
  
  

  And to add another feather in her cap, Debbie Stewart was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours list! This award acknowledges her services to birds of prey and raptor conservation. Great for birds of prey, great for conservation, great for Wingspan.