Waitaki Moa Trail Preview

South of Forrester Gallery (near the red telephone box), a walking track follows the banks of Ōamaru Creek leading you to Moa murals created by Ōamaru based artist Wicksey.

Safety First! Please take extra care when you are viewing moa by roads, waterways and railway tracks. Always supervise tamariki / children.

There are two moa at Steampunk HQ - both made by the late Chris Meder. The smaller sculpture at the entrance was made between 2007-2010. The larger sculpture, called Cheeky Moa is in room 2 of the HQ. It was made for Jon Baxter in 2009. Both sculptures are made from scrap metal and found objects that have been welded to form a moa shape.

Steampunk HQ, 1 Humber Street, Ōamaru. For hours and more information www.steampunkoamaru.co.nz. There may be costs to view.

Dunedin artist David Herbert made this giant moa sculpture. It is cleverly made from interlocking pieces of plywood and metal to look skeletal.

The Old Railway Station, Humber Street, Ōamaru. No entry. This moa is on private property. You may view from the footpath but please do not enter the property unless you ask permission from the owner.

This moa sculpture at Cape Wanbrow, designed by local artist Trish Shirley, will be part of a planned series of life-size steel sculptures showing ancient wildlife that once lived in the Waitaki area.

Find this moa at the carpark at the end of Test Street, Cape Wanbrow, Oamaru.

This moa is called Awa – named after a farm in the Lower Waitaki. It was made in 2021 by Matt King from steel and corrugated iron.

A moa themed mural by local artist Šárka Cibulcová, painted in December 2023. Here a moa meanders through the bush on a Chorus cabinet, with a statement about the risks of extinction on the back.

Opposite 38 Awamoa Road, Ōamaru. www.shaarkas.webnode.cz

This moa was made over 15 years ago by Herbert artist Matt King. It is constructed with wood, wire, material, and concrete.

468 Beach Road, Ōamaru. www.oldbones.co.nz. No entry. This moa is on private property. You may view from the footpath but please do not enter the property unless you ask permission from the owner.

Moa: Located at the rear of the Blacksmith’s Shop on the edge of the historical Brewery Hole is a sculpture of the South Island giant moa: Dinornis robustus. This sculpture was made of scrap metal and welded by Matt King circa 2016.

Eagle: Soaring high on a pole also at the Brewery Hole is another sculpture made by Matt King. The extinct Haast’s eagle, pouakai or Hieraaetus moorei was the largest eagle to have existed. Haast’s eagle weighed up to around 17 kg, with a wingspan of up to three metres. This giant eagle preyed on other large New Zealand birds including the moa.

Nicol’s Blacksmith Shop, 21 Campbell St, Duntroon. For hours and more information www.blacksmith.net.nz

Mandy Moa was made by the late Trevor Ross in 1972 for a Palmerston centenary. Originally covered in a sheep skin it is now fibre glass.

Corner of SH1 and Stour Street, Palmerston.

Created by Mark Hill of Arrowtown, this Haast’s eagle sculpture is made of stainless steel and stands 7.5 metres tall with a whooping wingspan of 11.5 metres.

Macraes Wetland Walkway, Access is a short walk from the carpark opposite Stanley’s Hotel.