“The Flight of the KUAKA”

“Kuaka is the Maori name for the godwit – a bird famous for its epic journeys across the Pacific Ocean and back.”

Godwits in the TE AHU CENTRE ATRIUM (Kaitaia)

Godwits in the TE AHU CENTRE ATRIUM (Kaitaia)

“SUMMER HOLIDAYS

Kuaka embark on one of the longest migrations known among birds. They breed in Alaska and spend their summer in New Zealand fattening up for their next-haul flight.”

“Their journey is an incredible 11,680km. From New Zealand they head up to the Chinese coast. They refuel for a few weeks, and continue on to their northern breeding grounds. When  winter approaches they fly non-stop across the Pacific Ocean back to New Zealand.”

“The flight path of the kuaka helped guide the first Polynesian settlers to New Zealand.”

Godwits in the TE AHU CENTRE Atrium (Kaitaia)

Godwits in the TE AHU CENTRE Atrium (Kaitaia)