Story: Moa

A moa sighting?

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, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/11386/a-moa-sighting (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Trevor H. Worthy, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015