The Quiet Meaning Behind 3 of New Zealand's Most-Loved Native Birds

One of the things I've grown to love about New Zealand is that every native bird seems to come with a story.

People don't just tell you, "There's a ruru."

They'll tell you what it means if you hear one calling at night.

Or what it means when a piwakawaka follows you through the bush.

Whether you believe those stories or simply enjoy hearing them, I think they add another layer to seeing these birds in the wild.

Having moved from the UK, it was something I noticed quite quickly. Back home, people admired birds because they were beautiful or rare. Here, they seem to be part of everyday life in a different way. They carry history, stories and meaning that have been passed down through generations.

As an artist, I find that fascinating.

When I paint a bird, I'm not just trying to capture the feathers or the colours. I'm trying to capture how it feels to see it.

Here are three native birds I find myself coming back to again and again.

Pīwakawaka (Fantail)

If you've spent any time walking through native bush, you've probably had a little fantail darting around your feet.

They're wonderfully curious birds. They'll flit from branch to branch, sometimes following you for quite a distance. It almost feels like they've decided to keep you company.

There's actually a practical reason for that. As you walk, you disturb insects, making them much easier for the fantail to catch.

In Māori tradition, the pīwakawaka has different meanings depending on the iwi and the story being told. In some traditions it is seen as a messenger, while in others it's linked with the spirit world.

Whatever you believe, it's hard not to smile when one appears.

I've painted quite a few fantails over the years, and every one has reminded me just how much personality can fit into such a tiny bird.

Kotare (Sacred Kingfisher)

The kotare couldn't be more different.

While the fantail is constantly on the move, the kotare is the picture of patience.

You'll often spot one sitting quietly on a fence post or power line, watching the world go by. Then, without warning, it drops down to catch its prey before returning to its perch as if nothing happened.

That calm confidence is one of the reasons I was so drawn to painting one.

In Māori tradition, the kotare represents patience, watchfulness and focus. Once you've watched one hunting, it's easy to understand why.

Ruru (Morepork)

The ruru has always fascinated me.

There's something magical about hearing one call after dark. Even if you've never actually seen one, you'll often hear that unmistakable "more-pork" echoing through the trees.

In Māori tradition, the ruru is often seen as a guardian or messenger, although the stories vary between iwi.

Whether you see it as symbolic or simply one of New Zealand's most beautiful native birds, there's no denying it has an incredible presence.

When I painted my ruru, I wanted people to feel that same quiet connection. Those huge eyes seem to follow you around the room, and I think that's exactly what makes them so captivating.

Why I keep painting native birds

People often ask why I paint so many birds.

The answer is quite simple.

They make me stop.

Sometimes it's a kotare sitting perfectly still on a fence post. Sometimes it's a fantail dancing through the bush. Sometimes it's hearing a ruru calling after sunset.

They're little moments that could easily pass us by if we're rushing.

Painting gives me a chance to hold onto those moments a little longer, and hopefully share them with other people too.

If one of these birds has a special meaning for you, I'd love to hear your story. Every time I talk to someone about New Zealand's native birds, I seem to learn something new.