This pīwakawaka depicts Aotearoa’s lively and distinctive fantail. Watching a pīwakawaka hunt is mesmerising, it twists, dives and changes direction mid-flight, using its fanned tail like a rudder to catch insects on the wing.

Within some Māori stories, Māui transformed himself into a mokomoko (lizard) and entered Hine-nui-te-pō (goddess of death) in an attempt to overcome death and make humanity immortal. The pīwakawaka laughed and woke her, causing Māui to be crushed by her.

In some versions, Māui threw mud at the bird, leaving the dark markings seen today, across its body.

This piece ships after 6th Nov 2026. Exclusive to Mountain Jade, this one-off art piece forms part of the 2026 Ngā Tamariki-a-Tāne-Mahuta Collection, celebrating the beauty and character of Aotearoa’s native birds through pounamu and contemporary carving. This collection will be on display in our Rotorua store from Thursday 1st October. Pieces may be purchased throughout the exhibition period but only be shipped once the exhibition concludes on 6th November. Read more.