Ngā manu – birds


by Kelly Keane

Birds had a vital place in traditional Māori life, providing food, and feathers for adornment and cloaks. Their habits were closely observed, and were a rich source of metaphor and poetry. Birds’ behaviour was used to predict the weather, and sometimes the future.

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Main image: Ruru (morepork)

Ruru (morepork)


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English Maori