Waitaki Museum and Archives Te Whare Taoka o Waitaki
Moa are important to our history, so the Museum keeps a lot of material related to them. Pick up a Moa Detective Sheet from the Museum visitors desk to see what moa-related treasures you can discover in the Waitaki Museum.
Wero| Challenge: Measure yourself against the Haast’s eagle’s wingspan shown in the Museum entrance.
60 Thames Street, Ōamaru. For hours and more information www.culturewaitaki.org.nz
Moa sculpture – Railway Station - Ōamaru
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.
Moa sculptures – Steampunk Headquarters - Ōamaru
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.
Moa mural - Thames Street bridge
As part of a community-led project, local artist Wicksey has painted some life-sized Moas along the Ōamaru Creek track that goes under the Thames Street bridge. You can get up close to these 3 metre tall birds via the track south of Forrester Gallery and the railway lines (turn off at the red phone booth and see if you can spot the Moa footprints to follow).
Safety First! Please take extra care when you are viewing moa by roads, waterways and railway tracks. Always supervise tamariki / children.
Moa sculpture - Cape Wanbrow
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.
Moa sculpture – South Hill Ōamaru
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.
Moa Mural - Chorus Cabinet
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.
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 sculpture - Palmerston
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.
Haast’s eagle sculpture – Macraes
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.
Vanished World Centre
Vanished World have moa bones to look at and moa books for sale. Explore the discovery centre and find out about the Vanished World Trail.
Patai / Question: How many moa bones are on display?
7 Campbell Street, Duntroon. For hours and more information www.vanishedworld.co.nz. There may be costs to view.
Moa and Haast’s eagle sculptures - Duntroon
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
