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Kōrero: Birdwatching

Native birds of New Zealand

This 1901 poster depicts native birds of the New Zealand forest and wetlands. The colourful kea, a mountain parrot, is at the centre. Some of the birds – including tūī, bellbird, fantail and kingfisher – are still quite common. The yellowhead, kākā and fernbird are more scarce, and local knowledge may be needed to find them. Several others – including the stitchbird and kākāpō – now survive only in pest-free sanctuaries. Others – the piopio and bush wren – have become extinct since this poster was painted.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: C-066-008

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.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Gordon Ell, Birdwatching – A land of birds, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/zoomify/11929/native-birds-of-new-zealand (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Gordon Ell, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.

Comments


30 November 2016
Hi Phil - thanks for your comment. With the zoomify, just go to full screen, zoom in and scoll down to see the key. Regards, Jamie Mackay
Phil Wollerman
22 November 2016
Hi - I love this poster and would like to have a copy should anyone start to think printing a reproduction based on the copy you have might help conservation. Regardless of that, however - I am a web-designer and notice you are using a variation of the Zoomify plugin to enlarge portions of the print in fine detail - well done! The problem with it, as it appears on screen, is that the Zoomify controls obscure the legend to such and extent it is almost impossible to read at the size where it is not covered by the semi-transparent layer of grey. I think you can change the location or appearance of Zoomify controls - in this case, it would be very useful as much of the information is currently lost to online users and the graphic becomes a pretty picture rather than a reference material.
Rob Topless
21 July 2014
I have a original poster that my late grandfather got out of the Auckland Weekly News.
Jason
03 November 2011
I was wondering were I would get the history on this picture when it was published by Brett Printing company as we have just inherited a copy. Also weather this was ever printed in a News paper a very long time ago possibly a Auckland news paper.
Michelle Posa
26 October 2011
Hello I was wondering if I could use this image as a 10-20 second background (green screen) for our students TV segment about Animals in particular the part talking about birds. I feel its important to use NZ birds. The clip will be shown on our children's TV show Pukeko Echo and printed onto DVD. I was hoping to use it on this weeks episode. There are not many images showing a range of our NZ birds on one page.
Roger
02 July 2011
Hi, do you have a better (i.e higher resolution) copy of the image of the 1901 poster above? Sounds bizarre I know but looking to have this as a tattoo (albeit slightly modernised) - any help would be appreciated! Cheers.
Te Ara
27 October 2010
Sorry, we can't help you with finding a copy of the poster. This poster is from around 1901, and so is presumably no longer for sale.
E Bydder
25 October 2010
Is it possible to purchase a copy of this poster for private use, and if so can you please provide purchase details. Thanks you
trish nicholl
23 October 2010
Can I buy a copy of this poster for my barn B&B ? I live in South Auckland. A lady at the Arrowtown Museum told me about it....