the highly prized Huia feather

where we found our name.

The Huia was a legendary bird native to New Zealand.

The Huia had exceptional dimorphism where there was an extreme difference in the shape of the bill between the gender of the bird.

Male Huia had a short, robust bill and a strong muscular skull structure suited to ripping open rotting wood and Ponga tree trunks. Female Huia had long, thin, curved bills that were suited to extracting the grubs that had become exposed.

This meant the birds paired for life, using their complementary abilities to feed each other and their offspring.

This distinctive feature along with the birds’ beautiful plumage, made it highly prized by international collectors and the Maori, where wearing the Huia feather was considered the adornment of great honour worn only by the most revered.

The Huia feathers were said to represent wisdom, elegance and great dignity.

At Huia Vineyards we share these philosophies to grow and make our selection of organic wines.

Sadly, the bird is now extinct. The last recorded sighting was in 1907 in the Tararua Ranges North of Wellington. However there are unconfirmed reports of the Huia birdsong being heard in the isolated Urewera bush as recently as 40 years ago.

There is also a myth that Ricky Baker spotted a Huia when he was lost in the bush with his Uncle in 2016.

Maori wahine, Mihiterina Takamoana adorned with the Huia feathers | painting by Gottfired Lindauer (1839-1926)

We couldn’t find out much about this beautiful woman or the circumstances of this portrait. We know she was married and resided in Hawkes Bay. One thing is certain, with the Huia feathers in her hair, it is very clear she was a woman much revered and highly respected.