Read to views of our people leading the Kuaka Project initiative

SIR MARK SOLOMAN

"There is a bit of kaha in that species. It needs to be looked up to."

"This little bird arrives with wisdom of both worlds, “both sides of the veil”, that of the living, and that where those who have passed on dwell"

"Actually it is an ordinary looking bird, small and plain, but it does extraordinary things. We should study it and celebrate it"

"The kuaka make the longest flight of any creature or even man-made plane without refuelling"

"It’s a metaphor for the necessary change amongst our men, respect for the women, te whare tangata, and care for the children, manaaki nga tamariki"

"The kuaka provides a metaphor of facing different wind belts and needing to keep your compass fixed despite challenges"

OUR PEOPLE

Sir Mark talks of the kuaka as a marker post of spring. He says that in that regard it is like the titi – the mutton bird. In light of its...

Naida’s reflections include discussion about how we need to retune our ears to listen to the bird. It reminds her of the days that...

For the Ngati Kahungunu people of Ahuriri and the Heretaunga the kuaka has been in the area forever. In this tradition it is referred to on the...

The kuaka is also the only foreign bird featured in tauparapara, its probably the only time kuaka are mentioned. It is featured on the walls of...

The kuaka are champions of long distance flight - Te wharau o te kuaka. They follow migratory patterns that lead them to Parengrenga harbour....

The kuaka has magnetic sense for long distance navigation. They spend, a significant part of the summer loading up on fuel reserves to fly long...