Moa Bones in Webb’s Material Culture Auction
Among the many treasures in our upcoming Material Culture auction is something truly exceptional—rare relics from Aotearoa’s ancient past: authentic: moa bones. This is a tangible link to a time before humans walked these lands. These prehistoric remains, from birds that once roamed Aotearoa, offer collectors, historians, and the curious alike a rare chance to engage directly with deep time.
Little bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis). Credit: Auckland Museum Collections (CC BY 2.0)
The moa (Dinornithiformes) were flightless, herbivorous birds found only in New Zealand. Some species stood over three metres tall, making them among the tallest birds ever known.
Before their extinction around the early to mid 1400s, they were a dominant force in New Zealand’s unique bird-led ecosystem. With no natural predators other than the now-extinct Haast’s eagle, the moa thrived until the arrival of Polynesian settlers—ancestors of Māori—who hunted them for food and feathers. Within just a few generations, all nine species were depleted.
In this Material Culture auction, Webb’s is offering two, separate lots each featuring a Leg Bone of a Little Bush Moa.
These two specimens (Lot 58 and Lot 60) are remarkably well-preserved leg bones from the little bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformi), one of the smaller species of the now-extinct moa.
Standing around one meter tall, the little bush moa inhabited lowland forests across the North and South Islands and was last known to exist before human arrival and subsequent environmental pressures led to its extinction by the late 15th century.
These examples were recovered from limestone tomos (sinkholes): natural traps where the birds likely fell centuries ago. Such locations provided ideal preservation conditions due to stable temperatures and minimal exposure to environmental decay. Today, bone specimens such as these serve as rare and tangible links to a lost megafauna.
Lot 58 measures L170 W75 D40mm while Lot 60 measures L160 W70 D43mm.
The skull of a little bush moa from Te Papa’s collection
About the Moa
Scientifically classified under the order Dinornithiformes, moa were a diverse group of large, flightless birds endemic to New Zealand. There were nine known species, ranging from the small ones featured in this auction (Anomalopteryx didiformis) to the towering Dinornis robustus, which could reach 3.6 metres in height and weigh up to 230 kilograms.
Moa were herbivores, feeding on leaves, twigs, fruits, and seeds, and used their powerful beaks and gizzards to grind plant material. They had no wings at all—not even vestigial ones—and laid large eggs, with some species producing eggs up to 24 centimetres long. Their closest living relatives are not ostriches or emus, as once thought, but the South American tinamou, linking them distantly to a broader group of birds called Palaeognaths.
Beyond their role in New Zealand’s ecological past, moa also hold cultural significance. They appear in Māori oral traditions, where their feathers and bones were once used in tools, jewellery, and ritual. In this way, moa are more than extinct birds—they are woven into the narrative of the land and its people. Their remains are reminders not only of loss, but of resilience, resourcefulness, and adaptation.
About Moa Bones
“Items like moa bones offer a rare and valuable insight into the natural history of Aotearoa. Their inclusion in this auction highlights the intersection between cultural heritage and scientific significance and also as powerful reminders of the importance of conservation and stewardship of our natural environment, ” Leah Morris, Head of Decorative Arts
These bones also serve as a powerful symbol of the importance of conservation today. The moa's extinction is one of the most rapid and complete in human history, a sobering lesson about the fragility of ecosystems and the lasting impact of human settlement. Their story continues to resonate with scientists and storytellers alike, sparking curiosity about what once was—and how we protect what still remains.
Today, moa bones are highly sought after—not just for their rarity, but for their scientific, historical, and cultural value. To hold a moa bone is to hold a fragment of a lost world. For New Zealanders, they represent a unique chapter in natural history and a powerful reminder of how quickly entire species can vanish. For collectors, they offer a chance to acquire something truly unique and deeply rooted in place.
The inclusion of moa bones in this auction is particularly special. These relics are not just museum curiosities—they are enduring symbols of a world that once was. Their presence in a sale dedicated to cultural heritage serves as a poignant reminder of the balance between human progress and preservation.
Webb’s is privileged to include these bones in our Material Culture auction—an online sale dedicated to celebrating the artistry, ingenuity, and heritage of indigenous cultures across the world. This curated offering spans carvings, textiles, adornments, tools, ceramics, and objects of ceremony—each one selected for its craftsmanship, cultural importance, and historical significance.
Our Material Culture auctions reflect our ongoing commitment to sourcing and presenting works that embody multigenerational knowledge, spiritual meaning, and artistic excellence. We approach each catalogue with reverence and care, recognising the responsibility we hold as temporary kaitiaki (guardians) of these important items.
“Material Culture auctions offer a chance to bring together objects that reflect the artistry and technical skill, resourcefulness, and enduring knowledge systems of indigenous makers. It’s an opportunity to engage with material histories that span generations and geographies, informing us about the past and its ongoing relevance to our present and future” - Leah Morris, Head of Decorative Arts
One of our most notable recent sale results for Material Culture was the world record-breaking sale of a single huia feather, selling for $46,521 and breaking the previous world record by 450%.
Whether you're an experienced collector or simply fascinated by New Zealand’s natural and cultural history, we invite you to explore the catalogue and visit the gallery to see these extraordinary pieces for yourself.
While all bidding takes place via our online platform, the full catalogue is also on view in our Mount Eden gallery throughout the auction duration. Bidding is open from June 26—30, with viewing available at our Auckland gallery—33a Normanby Road, Mount Eden. Browse the full catalogue and place your bids on our website.
Material Culture
Online Auction | 26—30 June
+ Weekday & Saturday Viewing
Leah Morris
Head of Decorative Arts
Head of Decorative Arts, Leah Morris
Leah Morris is the Head of Decorative Arts at Webb's.
She studied at the University of Auckland earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Ancient History in 2015. In 2017 she graduated with an Honours in Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage.
Before coming to Webb’s in 2021, Leah’s most recent tenure was working as a Collection Technician at the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira for Human History in which she researched and catalogued the Social History, Applied Arts and Design, and World collections.
This experience shines through in her role as Head of Department where she expertly leads specialist Decorative Arts sales with utmost care and consideration for the full client experience.
Leah has a special interest in Material Culture and has set the benchmark for curating record-breaking sales. She is particularly interested in West African art, taonga, and indigenous art, as well as New Zealand studio pottery and glass.
