Story: Birds of mountains and open country

New Zealand raven

New Zealand raven

When the Polynesian ancestors of Māori arrived in New Zealand, ravens were common in open country around the coasts. The Pacific rats (kiore) introduced by the voyagers ate raven eggs and chicks, and the adult birds were hunted by humans. By the time the first Europeans visited the country, ravens were extinct.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Artwork by Paul Martinson

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Birds of mountains and open country - Open country environments', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/14002/new-zealand-raven (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015