Knock me down with an $8400 feather

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HUIA WANTS IT: Webb's managing director Neil Campbell with the single huia feather that sold at auction in Auckland for $8400.

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A mystery Wellington family has shelled out a world record $8400 for a single bird feather.

The huia feather surpassed all expectations when it was sold at Webb's Auction House late last week.

"With an estimate of $500 to $700, a full room sat spellbound as the bidding rose to unprecedented heights between a determined phone bidder, and several floor bidders," Webb's managing director Neil Campbell said.

"Starting in $100 increments that quickly leaped into the thousands and came to rest at a world record price of $8400."

The feather's Porirua seller had had it in his family for generations. It was bought on Thursday at the Auckland auction by a "not uber-wealthy" Wellington family with a collection of Maori art and adornments, Mr Campbell said.

Neither the buyer nor the seller wanted to be identified, he said.

The sale was believed to be a world record for a bird feather. Several years ago a bald eagle feather sold in the United States for US$2800.

"It reflects our passion for birds. As a young nation we treasured birds and we still do."

Huia feathers were traditionally used for adornment by chiefs, and attempts to slow the hunting of them began as early as the 1880s.

While other huia feathers had recently sold on Trade Me for under $1000, their authenticity was uncertain. This one had been verified by Te Papa, Mr Campbell said.

The auction, during which 300 lots sold for about $750,000, was also believed to generate the highest sales of an auction of Oceanic art and artefacts in New Zealand.

Te Papa researcher Hokimate Harwood, who researches bird feathers, said huia feathers were valuable to Maori because they were associated with high-ranking people, and they were now generally valuable because the huia was extinct. "As a Maori we don't really put money value on them."

The Duke of York, who later became George V, visited New Zealand in 1902. A Rotorua chief gave him a huia feather, which he wore back to England in his hat. "All the women in England wanted one and people were paying a lot of money," Ms Harwood said. "And that's what led to their extinction."

HUNTED TO EXTINCTION

Last confirmed sighting in 1907.

Black bird with white-tipped tail feathers and orange-red wattles, and a deep, melodious call.

The female's bill was long, slender and curved.

The male's was shorter and pick-like.

The rapid decline of huia was noted after new predatory mammals were introduced in the 1890s.

Deforestation and hunting by introduced predators led to its decline, before hunting by humans caused its extinction.

Could fly but usually hopped.

Lived in the North Island but, as population declined, it was confined to the lower North Island.

Its prized feathers came from the tail. There were about 12 on each bird, each about 20cm long.

- © Fairfax NZ News