Story: Ngā manu – birds

‘Rangiaeata’

‘Rangiaeata’

This 1840 watercolour by Charles Heaphy shows Te Rangihaeata, an important chief of the Ngāti Toa tribe. In Te Rangihaeata’s ear is a pōhoi toroa, a balled earring of albatross feathers. He also wears six huia feathers on his head, and a cloak made from kiwi feathers. The feathers of toroa, huia and kiwi were often worn by people of high status.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: C-025-022
Watercolour by Charles Heaphy

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Kelly Keane-Tuala, 'Ngā manu – birds - Symbols of status', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/12149/rangiaeata (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Kelly Keane-Tuala, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015