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Story: Kites and manu tukutuku

Birdman kite, 1890

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Birdman kite, 1890

In this 1890 photograph of the birdman kite held in the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the teeth, moko (tattoo) and hair made from hawk feathers, can still be seen. Today they are no longer visible on the kite.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: Neg. no. 4698

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

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How to cite this page

Bob Maysmor, Kites and manu tukutuku – Types of Māori kite, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5293/birdman-kite-1890 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Bob Maysmor, published 2 March 2009.