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Story: Ngā manu – birds

Waka huia

Image
Waka huia

This waka huia (treasure box) contains a single huia feather. While the main purpose of waka huia was to hold these prized feathers, they were also used for other taonga (treasures). The intricate carving shows how important the boxes were.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_F.006611/01-09

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Kelly Keane, Ngā manu – birds – Symbols of status, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/12145/waka-huia (accessed 8 June 2026).

Story by Kelly Keane, published 1 March 2009, updated 17 February 2015.