Story: Kōrero taiao

Tūī and its song

A tūī rests on the frond of a fern. Its melodious call inspired the saying 'Me he korokoro tūī' (like the throat of a tūī), which referred to someone with a beautiful singing voice.

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Photograph by Shirley Williams

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Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Radio New Zealand collection. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (New Zealand birds/Reference number 22612)

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Kōrero taiao - Sayings and proverbs from the natural world', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/natural-sounds/8896/tui-and-its-song (accessed 3 May 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 24 Sep 2007