Haasts Eagle
Haast’s Eagle — Meet a Giant of Aotearoa
You’re standing in front of a life‐size Haast’s Eagle — just across from Lohi.
This mural shows Haast’s Eagle as it once appeared — powerful, precise, and unforgettable, you’re stepping into the story of the largest eagle that ever lived, right here in Aotearoa.
And if you’re wondering... yes, legend has it the eagle may have chased a moa straight across the road — all the way into The Thirsty Moa for a well‐earned drink!
Take a moment to look closely. Imagine its shadow sweeping across the land.
What Was Haast’s Eagle?
• Scientific name: Hieraaetus moorei
• Wingspan: up to 3 metres (as wide as a small car!)
• Weight: up to 15 kg
• When it lived: until about 600 years ago
Haast’s Eagle lived only in Aotearoa New Zealand. Nowhere else on Earth.
What Did It Eat?
Haast’s Eagle was powerful enough to hunt giant moa — huge, flightless birds that once lived across the South Island.
It would: 1. Perch high and watch 2. Dive at great speed 3. Strike with strong talons
When people arrived in New Zealand, moa were hunted to extinction. Without moa to eat, Haast’s Eagle soon disappeared too.
Why Did It Become Extinct?
Haast’s Eagle vanished because: - Its main food (moa) disappeared - Forests were cleared - The environment changed very quickly
This story helps us understand how everything in nature is connected.
Why Is This Eagle Relevant to Lohi?
Lohi is inspired by place, nature, and care for resources.
Haast’s Eagle reminds us that: - Nature has limits - What we use matters - Looking after our environment protects the future
Our work focuses on thoughtful design and circular use of materials, so fewer stories end in loss.
A Guardian of the Skies
In Māori culture, birds are often seen as guardians and messengers.
Haast’s Eagle can be thought of as a kaitiaki — a guardian of the land and skies.
Although it no longer flies here, its story encourages us to: - Respect nature - Protect what we have - Learn from the past
Did You Know?
• Haast’s Eagle had the biggest talons of any eagle
• Early Māori rock art shows birds thought to represent this eagle • Scientists discovered it only in 1872, long after it disappeared
Pause. Look closely. Imagine it is alive.
What we protect today shapes what tomorrow will see. — Lohi