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Kōrero: Kites and manu tukutuku

Birdman kite

Image
Birdman kite

This Māori birdman kite is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Its name comes from its shape: a human body and head, with extended wings. It is very similar to the kite known as manu kāhu, shaped like a harrier-hawk, and to a type of kite made with bark of the aute (paper mulberry) plant, known as the peru.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Bob Maysmor, Kites and manu tukutuku – Types of Māori kite, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/object/5284/birdman-kite (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Bob Maysmor, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.