Meet the Tūī

The Tūī is one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable native birds. Mostly dark in colour, it has a subtle sheen to its feathers and is easily identified by the two white throat tufts that sit like tiny pom-poms at its neck.

Tūī are famous for their voices. Their songs are a lively mix of clear notes, clicks, rattles, and borrowed sounds from their surroundings. They feed on nectar, fruit, and insects and spend much of their time moving between flowering trees. In doing so, they help pollinate native plants such as flax, kōwhai, and pōhutukawa—busy work that keeps forests healthy.

Each Tūī is handcrafted in Arrowtown by our Cheeky Beaks ceramics team. Shaped from white porcelain and carefully glazed, every piece captures the Tūī’s compact form and distinctive features. Small variations in glaze and finish mean no two Tūī are exactly the same.

Suitable for indoor or outdoor display, the Tūī brings a touch of movement, sound, and personality into your space. Like all Cheeky Beaks pieces, each one is handmade and entirely its own.