16 Apr 2024

The myth and might of the extinct Haast's Eagle

From Nine To Noon, 11:30 am on 16 April 2024
Haast's eagle attacking moa

Haast's eagle attacking moa Photo: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic licence

The Haast's Eagle or Te Hōkioi bird is the largest eagle every known to have existed.

Over the centuries its existence was questioned, was it real, or was it just legend?

Scientists have pored over what was known about the bulky bird and debated whether it was able to fly. 

In his new book, Hard by the Cloud House, Peter Walker examines the legend of Te Hōkioi and its part in the avian history of Aotearoa.