Celebrate New Zealand's natural heritage this festive season

Kiwi

Kiwi are unique to NZ. Although iconic, these nocturnal birds are very rare and mysteriously shy. As such, most New Zealander's have never seen one in the wild. 

Kiwi have many weird and wonderful features thanks to New Zealand’s ancient isolation and lack of mammals. It’s thought they evolved to occupy a habitat and lifestyle that elsewhere in the world would be filled by a mammal. Their flightless status makes them incredibly vulnerable to introduced predators. 

Kiwis are normally born brown. However in 2011, one very special North Island brown kiwi, named Manukura, hatched in captivity and surprised everyone. She had a very rare genetic condition called leucism that gave her striking white feathers even though both her parents had brown feathers. There are records of white kiwi in the wild, but they are rare. I created a white kiwi decoration to celebrate her uniqueness and to help remind us all that it's okay to be different and to just be yourself.

Each kiwi decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the iconic essence of this treasured national bird. 

Kiwi decorations measure 5cm (excluding loop) and are available in either brown or white for $15 each

Kereru ~ New Zealand pigeon

Kereru, also called kuku or kukupa, are a protected species and widespread throughout New Zealand. They are one of our most well-known and beloved forest birds. The noisy beat of their wings is a distinctive sound in our forests as they fly from tree to tree. Kereru play a vital seed dispersal role in our forest ecosystem as they are the only bird species left (all others are now extinct) big enough to swallow the large fruits of many NZ native trees (such as karaka, miro, tawa and taraire). Kereru eat the fruit, leaves, twigs, buds and shoots of over 150 native and exotic trees and shrubs. 

Each kereru decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the majestic beauty of this friendly forest bird. 

Kereru decorations measure 6cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each

Ruru
Known as guardians of the forest, the ruru (or morepork) is New Zealand's only native owl. It's haunting call is iconic in NZ and is one of the most familiar sounds in our night forests. Ruru are silent hunters, their soft wing feathers make no sound as they swoop down on prey. Their head turns almost in a complete circle, and with keen hearing and big yellow eyes, they can detect even the slightest movement. 

Each ruru decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the charming essence of this beloved nocturnal bird. 

Ruru decorations measure 6cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each

Piwakawaka ~ fantail

Known for its friendly ‘cheet cheet’ call and energetic flying antics, the fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds on the New Zealand mainland. Fantails use their broad tails to change direction quickly while hunting for insects. They sometimes hop around upside-down amongst tree ferns and foliage to pick insects from the underside of leaves 

Each piwakawaka decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the iconic essence of this most popular NZ bird. 

Piwakawaka decorations measure 5cm (excluding loop) and are available for $25 each

Tui
Tūī are unique to New Zealand and belong to the honeyeater family, which means they feed mainly on nectar from flowers of native plants. These attractive birds can often be heard singing their beautiful melodies before they are spotted. You will recognise them by their distinctive white tuft under their throat. They are important pollinators of many native trees and will fly large distances, especially during winter for their favourite foods. 

Each tui decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the iridescence of this popular melodic bird. Two small pearlescent beads are firmly stitched to each decoration to represent the birds white throat tufts.

Tui decorations measure 8cm (excluding loop) and are available for $25 each

Kakapo

Kakapo are nocturnal parrots found only in New Zealand.  They're also world record breakers. Not only are they the heaviest species of parrot in the world but they are also the only flightless species. 

They are very rare and endangered. Because they spend their time on the ground they are in danger of being hunted by cats and stoats & their eggs and chick’s can be eaten by rats. This is why the surviving birds live on special islands that are kept free of predators.

Each kakapo  decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the unique essence of this incredible bird. 

Kakapo decorations measure 5cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each

Kakariki ~ red-crowned parakeet

Kakariki, meaning ‘small green parrot’ in māori, are beautiful bright green forest birds. They're distinguished by their bright crimson markings on their forehead, crown and a streak extending back beyond their eyes. They feed on berries, seeds, fruit and insects, and generally nest in tree holes. Kakariki were once widespread throughout the mainland but today are very rare on the mainland and only common on islands free of mammalian predators.

Each kakariki decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the vibrant essence of this colourful parrot.

Kākāriki decorations measure 8cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each

Kotare - kingfisher

Our native kotare is a close relative of the kingfisher found over much of the Pacific. Their striking azure plumage and their ability to perch in a prominent place for long periods of time waiting for their prey make them easily recognisable. They have a distinctive squat and stocky body and a very broad and extremely sharp pointed bill. Like many of Aotearoa’s native birds, kotare and their young are vulnerable to introduced predators, especially feral cats. 

Each kotare decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the vibrant essence of this patient and striking bird. 

Kōtare decorations measure 6cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each

Korora ~ little blue penguin

Korora are the smallest penguin species in the world, standing at 30-40cm tall and weighing a little over 1kg. Populations are declining in areas that aren't protected from human impacts and predation (most notably, humans and dogs) and as a result, their conservation status is ‘at risk.’  Their slate blue back and white belly are perfectly camouflaged for blending in against the lighter water as seen from below and the darker as seen from above. The birds hunt at sea, feeding on small sardine-sized fish. Korora are primarily nocturnal on land and return from the sea in small groups to nesting areas at dusk. They nest in underground burrows, natural holes, or under human structures and buildings. 

Each decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the cuteness of these special little birds. 

Korora decorations measure 8cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each

Tautou ~ silvereye 

Silvereye, also known as wax-eye or sometimes white-eye, are small olive green forest birds easily recognisable by striking white rings around their eyes. Their fine tapered bills and brush tipped tongues enable them to feast on fruits, insects and nectar. Silvereye arrived naturally in NZ in the mid 1800s and are now one of our most abundant birds.

Each decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the cuteness of this friendly forest bird. 

Silvereye decorations measure 6cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each

Hoiho ~ yellow-eyed penguin

Unique to New Zealand, hoiho, are considered to be one of the world's rarest penguin species and are classified as 'endangered'. If nothing is done to reverse current declines, scientists predict they could be extinct on mainland New Zealand within 10-20 years. The main threats to hoiho are fishing nets, predation and infectious disease. 

Their yellow eye and iconic band of pale yellow feathers surrounding their eyes and encircling the back of their head are distinguishing features. Their uniqueness is celebrated on the reverse side of New Zealand's five-dollar note. They're shy and hide their nests in dense vegetation. But their shrill call at breeding sites is attention-grabbing, giving them their te reo name, which means 'noise shouter'. 

Each decoration is carefully crafted, capturing the stunning beauty of this incredibly rare and unique seabird. 

Hoiho decorations measure 8cm (excluding loop) and are available for $20 each