Meet the Takahē

The Takahē is New Zealand's largest flightless bird and the world's biggest living rail species - a true conservation icon. Thought extinct for nearly 50 years, it was famously rediscovered in 1948 high in the tussock grasslands of the remote Murchison Mountains, Fiordland. With deep blue-green plumage, a white undertail, and a striking red bill and frontal shield, the Takahē is one of the most distinctive and colourful birds in Aotearoa.

Takahē are sturdy, ground-dwelling birds, well adapted for life among the tussock grasses they call home - feeding on grasses, seeds, and the occasional insect. Though they have wings, these are used only for display during courtship or as a show of aggression, never for flight. Their rediscovery launched New Zealand's longest-running endangered species programme, and remains one of the country's most celebrated conservation stories.

Handcrafted in Arrowtown by Jack Stobart each Takahē is individually shaped from white porcelain and carefully glazed to highlight its bold colouring and clean lines. Layered glazes create subtle variations in pattern and tone, giving every piece its own character.

Each piece has a threaded bolt set into the base, so it can be displayed however suits your space - perched on a post or ledge, or mounted onto an M6 rod pushed into a garden bed or pot...