Protecting the huia

Protecting the huia

Lord Onslow, governor of New Zealand from 1888 to 1892, named his baby son Huia. Onslow lobbied for the protection of native plants and animals, and persuaded the government to add the huia to a small list of protected birds. The original proclamation, dated 23 February 1892, has Huia Onslow’s mark at bottom left.

The story ends sadly – despite being protected, the huia bird became extinct early in the 20th century. Huia Onslow was paralysed after a diving accident, and later died, aged 31.