Description
The Mystical Ruru Print or as it is known, the Morepork, is woven into the fabric of Aotearoa’s natural and cultural heritage. More than just a nocturnal predator, the ruru holds a special significance, its unique features contributing to its enigmatic reputation. Choose between two stunning and beautiful options, both on high quality archival stock. Either a monochrome print or for even more magic, the colourised version. Ask us about framing your print too.
The New Zealand Ruru, or Morepork, is a bird steeped in mystique, its presence woven into the fabric of Aotearoa’s natural and cultural heritage. More than just a nocturnal predator, the ruru holds a special significance, its unique features contributing to its enigmatic reputation.
Its most defining characteristic is its haunting, melancholic call – a resonant “more-pork” that echoes through the night, often the only sign of its presence. This sound, piercing the quiet of the forest, has long captivated the imagination, becoming synonymous with the mystery of the New Zealand bush after dark. The ruru is a creature of shadows, its mottled brown plumage providing perfect camouflage against tree bark, rendering it nearly invisible during daylight hours.
Adding to its mystique is its mastery of silent flight. Specially adapted feathers with soft edges allow it to swoop through the forest undetected, a ghostly hunter in pursuit of insects, small birds, and rodents. Its large, forward-facing golden eyes, capable of extraordinary night vision, seem to hold ancient secrets, while its ability to turn its head almost 270 degrees gives it an uncanny, all-knowing appearance.
In Māori tradition, the ruru is often regarded as a kaitiaki (guardian) and a messenger. Its calls can be interpreted as omens or warnings, linking it to the spiritual world. This deep cultural connection, combined with its elusive, nocturnal habits and penetrating gaze, elevates the ruru from a mere bird to a symbol of the forest’s ancient, unseen life force. It is a sentinel of the night, embodying the quiet wisdom and profound mystery that still lingers in New Zealand’s wild places.








