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Story: Moa

A moa sighting?

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In January 1993, Paddy Freaney, a publican from Arthur’s Pass, claimed to have seen a moa in the Craigieburn Range in Canterbury. He strongly denied that the sighting was a hoax. This was the latest of many alleged sightings since Europeans arrived in New Zealand. However, there is no convincing evidence that moa have existed since about 1550.

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How to cite this page

Trevor H. Worthy, Moa – Moa and people, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/11386/a-moa-sighting (accessed 7 June 2026).

Story by Trevor H. Worthy, published 1 March 2009.

Comments

Calogero
20 April 2011
Honorable my nome is Calogero My surnome is Lombardo,i write from Picinisco provincia di Frosinone Italy.My email is [email protected] I'm interessenting news on last sightings of moa. I hope it live anchor in New Zeland. When are the last moa sightings, please? Thank you very much for the information. Awaiting your courteous reply best wishes, signature Calogero Lombardo