A single feather from the now-extinct New Zealand huia bird has set a world record, selling for NZD$46,521.50 ($28,417) at auction.
Originally estimated to fetch up to $3,000, the feather’s final price exceeded the previous record for a huia feather by 450%.
The huia bird was sacred to the Māori people, with its feathers often worn as headpieces by chiefs and their families, and given or traded as gifts.
According to the Museum of New Zealand, the last confirmed sighting of the huia was in 1907, though unconfirmed sightings continued for another twenty to thirty years.
The huia, a small songbird of the wattlebird family in New Zealand, was known for its leaping ability and striking plumage, featuring a distinct white tip on its feathers.
The feather sold on Monday was in “wonderful condition,” said Leah Morris, Head of Decorative Arts at Webb’s Auction House. “It still has its very distinct sheen to it, and there was no insect damage,” she told the BBC. The auction house framed the feather behind UV protective glass and with archival paper to ensure its longevity.
The feather is registered as a taonga tūturu, a classification protecting Maori-made objects. Only licensed collectors could purchase it, and it cannot leave the country without permission from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
According to Ms. Morris, high interest and enthusiasm from New Zealanders helped boost the price. “We saw a record number of people inquiring about becoming registered collectors,” she said. “In New Zealand, we care deeply about preserving our land, environment, flora, and fauna. With the huia extinct, there’s a collective resolve to protect other native species.”
Historically, huia feathers were a status symbol among the Māori. Even before European arrival, the bird was rare. Its popularity among European collectors and fashion merchants led to its extinction, according to the Museum of New Zealand.