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Story: Ngā manu – birds

Turiwhatu (dotterel)

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Turiwhatu (dotterel)

A turiwhatu displays its wings. In some traditions, it was believed that the bird would be the only survivor of a major disaster.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10036066

by Dick Veitch

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How to cite this page

Kelly Keane, Ngā manu – birds – Tohu – signs and predictions, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12160/turiwhatu-dotterel (accessed 4 June 2026).

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