The New Tui of the Nation

By Tom Turner

The Tui has always been an integral component of the New Zealand landscape. Found throughout all of
New Zealand, it still thrives in the suburbs, farmlands, bush and forestlands. I have felt an intimate
connection with the presence of Tuis in my own back yard and local surroundings for many years. They
have been a beautiful sight and their song is welcome here.

Since 1889, there has been a new Tui. It was first found around Mangatainoka and Pahiatua, and was
soon after found around Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay. Since the 1990’s, it population has exploded and it
has become somewhat of a national icon. There are also recent reports that it is found overseas, extending
the New Zealand cultural landscape’s influence internationally.

This Tui is still found on the tops of tall mountains, in the farmlands, bush and forests, and it is
particularly abundant in the suburbs and cities. This Tui’s song is, “Psssft… Yeah Right!” It still has the
familiar black plumage with a white tuft under its chin, and it has been surrounded with a bold orange and
yellow background, as though a warning that this Tui may be dangerous to the cultural landscape of New
Zealand.

References:
N.A., N.D. Tui, retrieved 31-8-07 from http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=32889
N.A., N.D., Tui Brewery Homepage, retrieved 31-8-07 from http://www.tui.co.nz/default.asp
N.A., N.D., The History of the Tui Brewery, retrieved 31-8-07 from http://www.tui.co.nz/default.asp?s1=Beer&s2=History
N.A., N.D. Yeah Right Card, retrieved 31-8-07 from
http://www.tui.co.nz/album.asp?s1=galleries&s2=Yeah%20Right%20Card&a=yeahright_card