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Story: Te tāhere manu – bird catching

Waka kererū

Image
Waka kererū

This waka kererū (pigeon trough) was photographed at Ruatāhuna in 1899. The trough was filled with water, and kererū would come to drink. Snares were set on either side of the trough, and when the birds tried to drink they were caught.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Elsdon Best Collection

Reference: PAColl-4249-06

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Te tāhere manu – bird catching – Attracting birds, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11997/waka-kereru (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 2 March 2009.