The giveaway is now closed. The lucky winner is kākāpō fan Tania Seward of Auckland, who recently visited our Official Spokesbird for Conservation, Sirocco the kākāpō , at Maungatautari.
Buller’s Birds of New Zealand, edited by Geoff Norman, is without a doubt one of the most beautiful books I’ve laid eyes on and, thanks to Te Papa Press, I have the privilege of giving away a copy here on the Conservation Blog.
“This precious and beautiful book is a perfect celebration of the precious
and beautiful birds of the precious and beautiful islands of Aotearoa.”
Stephen Fry
A memorial to a vanished world
This brand new (launched last month) edition contains the complete set of 95 classic 19th century ornithological paintings by John Gerrard Keulemans, reproduced in the most spectacular colour and detail.
Each painting is a masterpiece that I’d happily frame for my wall (although pulling apart this precious cloth-bound book to do so would be criminal – I might have to buy the calendar or cards for that project!).
Aside from the art, the book also has Buller’s original, descriptive text, as well as up-to-date taxonomic information in English and te reo Māori.
It’s valued at $150 and, on the off chance that you don’t win a copy here, you can purchase it from bookshops nationwide or online at www.tepapastore.co.nz.
Bush wren/mātuhituhi and rock wren/pīwauwau
Be in to win
To be in to win leave a comment on this post before 12 noon, Monday 12 November 2012, telling us why you want the book. A winner will be selected at random and contacted by email.
The giveaway is open to everyone, except employees of the Department of Conservation and their immediate families; however, we can only ship to New Zealand addresses.
Good luck!
Yellowhead/mohua and whitehead/pōpokotea
Stephen Fry says it best…
“There can be no finer example of the pinnacle of Victorian cataloguing than the stupendously fine work of Buller and Keulemans in their monumental collaboration… this wondrous, perfectly fashioned masterpiece marks a kind of dividing line between the old New Zealand of slaughter and extinction and the new New Zealand, which is one of the most conservation-minded, eco-aware and environmentally progressive nations on earth.
“Keulemans’ unprecedentedly detailed and exquisite images of every New Zealand bird that Buller could spot, catch and describe amount to a supreme work of art the like of which it is hard to find anywhere else in the realm of natural history…
“The re-publication by the Te Papa Press of this pioneering work with an exhaustive, deeply researched, highly readable text by Geoff Norman will be welcomed by scholars, field-workers and enthusiasts the world over. It is a memorial to a vanished world and a reminder of the vulnerability of biodiversity – how millions of years of creation can be undone by only a few centuries of destruction.
“I am dizzy with pride at being offered this opportunity to introduce it to you. This precious and beautiful book is a perfect celebration of the precious and beautiful birds of the precious and beautiful islands of Aotearoa.” – Stephen Fry
Totally bummed, posted a reply 7:42AM November 8th and cannot find it. I am planning to spend my winter surfing for birds on the Internet. I’m collecting photographs to identify later. This is Global Birding, vicariously, through the fine work of other photographers. I was an amateur wildlife photographer before I broke my neck in a car wreck 14 months ago and have finally admitted to myself that I’m disabled and can’t do much of what I used to. I was out today for just one hour and four minutes before I started having trouble focusing and keeping the camera steady. I wish they would do a reprint of Buller’s in the U.S. It looks like a treasure that anyone would be proud to own, I priced it and with no income, I’m out of luck.
Many of the unique birds of New Zealand are lost forever. Finding the the takehe and the efforts to save the kakapo are events of great significance in the long and troubled history of the interaction of humans with nature. This book is an expemplary artwork and scientific record.
I would love to give this book to my Fiance’ for our engagement present – she adores New Zealand wildlife, especially native birds.
Such a beautiful book would give me more knowledge and inspiration for birdwatching, and allow me to share with others New Zealand’s beautiful fauna
I would love it if my Wife could win this book.
She has been a “bird nerd” her whole life, and loves learning about and helping birds.
She volunteers at the New Zealand Bird Rescue Charitable trust 3 times a week, working with sick and injured birds (if you have ever dropped a bird at the green bay center, you have likely met her!), and takes great delight in releasing recovered birds back into the wild.
She’s also an avid amateur Avian photographer (try saying that 10 times fast) – there is a seldom a day that goes by when she isn’t taking photos of birds in our back yard, at the center, or trying to get pictures of the local spoonbill colony here in Auckland – and is always posting pictures up on the New Zealand Bird Rescue facebook page.
Last of all she is also a lover of avian art – forever hunting in second hand book stores to see if she can find bargains to add to her collection.
Sometimes I don’t know if I as her husband, or the birds, come first – but I don’t mind – because It’s hard not get excited when someone has so much passion for something they do, and how can you argue with someone who helps nurture sick and dying birds back to health, right? ;o)
I think she would be totally stoked if she could win this amazing book, especially with her birthday only a couple of weeks away!
I would absolutely love to win this book! I have recently grown to love new Zealand birds, the Kaka in particular and I would never afford this book though it looks beautiful! This would be a pleasure for me to read and treasure and also a great book for my new organization WCET – wildlife conservation and filming organization
.
It has all been said. Simple..just give me the damn book. Just kidding. I would like Melody Page to have it for her birthday today.
I would love the chance to win this book and add it to my collection. I had recieved a copy of the text about the kakapo a long time ago from don merton when i was first researching kakapo when i was at school many years ago thats when i developed a love for these birds and this book has amazing info on all of our amazing birds including ones no longer here. It would be amazing to win a copy of this outstanding book
This book is amazing. We do birding all around the world and it is such a joy to find a well illustrated book.
What a beautiful book! Would look great on my coffee table!
This book looks beautiful 🙂
I am dying to learn more about NZ birds, an the pictures look stunning. Plus, any discussion of Kakapo makes for a perfect book.
Its fantastic for us in the far north to see the special and wonderful life of the birds in New Zealand and to see all the efford done to preserve the wildlife 🙂
i would love to win this book.. :)))
Dear bird lovers. The most amazing sight just outside our cottage shower. 3 weeks ago a fantail pair raised two chicks, they flew off and we were sad to see them go after having watched them everyday being fed by their busy parents. But surprise surprise a few days after their departure mum and dad were back busy building another nest in the same fern. Mum is now sitting o the eggs. We are eagerly awaiting them hatch.
The book looks amazing and we are wondering what it says about fantails.
Cheerio
Me please! I would just TREASURE it.
I don’t live in NZ so can’t win so wonderful a work of art of the biohistory of the islands of Aotearoa; but I am green with envy for whoever does.
PS I also love Stephen Fry
This book would be a fab one to have. I love to photograph NZ birds and, this book would be an amazing reference. The pics also remind of the beautiful hand crafts ones my Mum used to cross stitch on to table cloths and, wall hanging.
Love the birds off Nz have Nz friend who it can be delivereed to if I’m lucky enough to win 🙂
This inspirational book makes me want to start drawing birds again!
New Zealand birds are unusual, beautiful and feisty!
Oh, with this book I could imagine more vividly the cacophony of New Zealand birdsong as heard by the first settlers. If only it still survived…
I would love to graze through these pictures of our lovely birds
As a homesick kiwi living overseas, I would love to win this book as a taste of the pure beauty of HOME x
Wow, got a sneak peek of some of the images last week at Orokonui Ecosanctuary – the poor lost hūia pic is the most beautiful in my opinion – and thinking that this book is full of similar images just blows me away! A treasure for sure. Thanks for reprinting!
This is a magnificent book, a treasure trove of living descendants of the dinosaur age.
Oh how awesome. Love Stephen Fry AND the beautiful birds of our country! xox~P
Looks like an amazing book with some great artworks! Love our native birds!
Congratulations on the re-publishing of this accurate and beautiful resource. Every illustration is a masterpiece. For bird lovers in NZ it is the Holy Grail.
what a truly magnificant book!
How stunning, this would be an amazing book to own.
We would love to win a copy of this book. We have been busy over the past 6 years with native regeneration on a plot of land on Banks Peninsula. During this time, we have noticed a definite increase in birdlife in the area. We hope to see even more over the coming years and that as the trees get bigger, the tui will also become frequent visitors.
I would like this book because it would make a great Christmas present for my Mum, who has always had the fascination of a naturalist with birds and bugs and passed her interest on to her daughters and grandkids. This will be my Mum’s first Christmas without my late father. Walter Buller has a delightfully colourful and controversial history himself and we should be proud to ‘own’ him.
What a fantastic looking book, I saw Sirocco when he was in Wellington it was so great to see a Kakapo close up, such an incredable bird.
I would love to win this book for our family. I love birds, and a book like this could only inspire my children to the same.
If Stephan Fry recommends this book it must be amazing. I would love to have such a beautifully illustrated book so I can learn more about the birds that live in my backyard, and even practice drawing.
Oooo I would love a copy of this – especially with such a fine picture of the handsome kakapo in it! 🙂
“Buller’s Birds” is NZ’s answer to John James Audubon’s “Birds of America”. I grew up with Buller’s paintings of birds on my school stationery, framed in people’s houses, and the book itself in public libraries. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
It’s wonderful that the book has been republished.
Such glorious birds! It is efforts like this that I think make the plights of endagered wildlife and habitats matter to folks. My 6yr old is absolutely in love with a film about birds of paradise and it has him very interested in conservation.
Skaaark! I would love to win this book! I love the Kakapo… especially Sirocco – my favourite. (Aaron Howard – you can purchase a kakapo soft toy in NZ .. not sure where though). Skaaark!
This is amazing! It’s too bad that from where I come from, Malaysia, people don’t seem to truly value the beauty and serenity of nature, let alone birds. My personal fave is the kakapo, though I have never seen one in real life before; I hope to one day, when their numbers in the wild are plentiful!
I’d love to own such a beautiful book – so much so I’ll be buying it if I don’t win it! I think our birds are one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of our country and I’d love to learn more about them. I’m probably a bird watcher in the making!
Stunning images
This will be a wonderful book to help me through another cold Alaskan winter,
Just gorgeous. It is sad to see such birds vanish.
A superb book that anyone would be privileged to have and one day I hope to have a copy sitting proudly on my coffee table, we have such amazing birds in New Zealand. I have a very good friend in the Czech Republic who loves the kakapo, I send a soft toy New Zealand bird to her every Christmas but have never found a kakapo yet, I shall keep searching.
It is fitting that Huia were chosen to grace the front cover of a book bearing the name of a man that was known to shoot them! This book serves as a poignant reminder of what has been lost, and what we serve to loose without care and proper management!
And can I have it autographed by Sirocco?
When I was young I spent hours leafing through a book of NZ birds (still on the shelf in my parents’ home- my Mum is an NZer. Mum has lived in Oz since before I was born and still misses ‘home’. I would love to be able to give her this beautiful book in the same way as she always ensured we had beautiful books to look at and care for.
I’d like to give it to my sister and nephew who would read it, study it and treasure it as it should be.
This wonderful book would surely bring back the birdsong to my otherwise silent bookshelf of native plants!
Wow, amazing book.
What a beautiful book, sad that we have driven so many of these beauties to extinction and continue to do so. I would love to have this book to show and remind people that extinction is forever & that we have the power to stop this from happening in the future, not to mention I am a life long bird lover and have 8 living with me now.
What a beautiful book, one to keep looking at for years to come.
I am dreaming to visit New Zealand and to watch its fauna!
My kids would love this book and it would be a great teacher resource for my early childhood career which I am about to start
A wonderful edition to any bird book collection
Even the manliest of men is enchanted by the birdsong of New Zealand.
The art looks amazing, NZ birds are always so beautiful. Good luck to everyone to win this amazing book.
What an amazing prize. My dream is to one day head over and see all these wonderful birds in their natural habitat. But first and foremost on that list is Sirocco!
I have sitting on my lap a copy of A History of the Birds of New Zealand by Walter Lawry Buller it is a 1983 Diamond Jubiliee Edition number 107 out of only 250 copies it belongs to my son it is leather bound with gold a beautiful book to which I would love to own I have always loved New Zealand Birds from childhood my son works with Petrels and Albatros’ etc the illustrations are most beautiful of course J G Keulemans I was told used skins of birds from the muesuems for accuracy ( I could be wrong on this ) and memory and sight of course some of the birds are extinct the author is very knowledgeable and accurate in his written works I am an illustrator myself, beautiful books.
i had an original book that had been a family treasure that i lost in a house fire a couple of years ago and would love to replace it . i also have a large collection of 10 myo fossil marine birds
I am obsessed with birds and I love these illustrations so on days that I am missing seeing the real thing I can look at the book and marvel at their beauty
I use to get a copy of Buller’s Birds out of the library as a child and dream of finding Huia
I am studying ecology at Lincoln University as a “mature” student. This book would be useful to me in a functional way but also as art – I would get a lot of pleasure from it, and it would be a treasure to share with others.
What lovely jewel-like illustrations. Looking forward to perusing this at the library.
A beautiful work of art and labour of love. A coffee table centrpiece without a doubt!
too good to miss , an early Christmas present from DOC , so grateful !
This would have to be THE classic book on birds of NZ. Would love to have a copy in my collection.
Gorgeous illustrations and a wonderful book. We have some truly unique species in NZ.
Will be great addition to our new (first) home!
What a perfect way to show my children the type of birds that were around me whilst growing up on the coast. A welcome edition to our book collection!!
This will be My Precious and I wants it!
This is a gorgeous book! The pictures are beautifully drawn and so lifelike and capture the beauty of NZ nature terrifically.
Off to work on Anchor Island with the kakapo team for 6 months over the breeding season, this book would definitely cheer the spirits of the staff and volunteers in the Anchor Island hut when the Fiordland rain sets in…
Me me me me oo oo pick me pick me I love books. particularly if it is about NZ
I love this book, I am a Visual Painting Artist as well as Photographer and take lots of photos of birds and animals as well as painting them. I would very much love to win this please angels
This is the bible of bird watching and I have collected prints from the early edition for many years – a beautiful book with wonderful artwork, it would be a privilege to own it.
I would love to win this book as I am so very passionate about protecting New Zealand’s native wildlife, but I especially love our birds! I would love to learn so much more about them and I know this would be the perfect book for the job. I also love the paintings and they inspire me to keep striving with my photography, the focus of which is always New Zealand’s birds.
I have a friend from overseas who is in love with New Zealand birds (and NZ nature in general actually). I was going to get a framed print of the Huia on the front cover for him, but if I could get the book, that would be awesome. He used to volunteer on Tiritiri Matangi and also volunteers in Ark in the Park. He might be leaving NZ, so this book would be a great parting gift for him. If he is staying, it would still be just as great. I know he would love this book as he has a love of both painting and birds.
I can see it reclining on my coffee table as we speak.
I’d love to own such a beautiful and historic book.
Having seen a copy of this book years ago I have dreamt of owning one. Other messages have covered my feelings, love of birds and respect for Buller and his artist Keulemans
A stunning book of great value. I can see it being referred to time and time again. Magic!
I absolutely love birds, especially NZ ones. This book looks like it has some amazing paintings of a truly talented artist.
As a follower of Bullers work in New Zealand and New Zealands Fauna this book would be an invaluable addition to my library to give insight into the fauna and thoughs of Bullers time and travels in New Zealand.
thank you for your consideration.
Very beautiful book and inspires one to go and search out these amazing birds
I recently visited Sirocco at Maungatautari and totally fell in love with him. Whilst there I was enthralled with the whole reserve and sanctuary. New Zealand’s birdlife is so very special and we are very lucky to have such a beautiful book available to us. If I was fortunate enough to win, it would take pride of place on my coffee table.
I’d love to own this book. NZ birds remind me of the fact that I live in a beautiful and unique country. I can be appreciative of that every day, even if my day has been unhappy. NZ birds and their songs inspire me to be creative, objective and thankful all at the same time. I have a Tui on flax tattooed on my back as a mark of my respect and love for our beautiful creatures.
What a fantastic record of our avian taonga and art. A precious precious book to be shared until it falls apart. Then repurposed as wall art.
I would love to own such a wonderful piece of New Zealand history for my family to enjoy.
It would be a great way to remember every colored birdy detail of my 3 years in NZ when I go back to Italy!
What an absolutely beautiful book. The bird life of New Zealand never ceases to astound me.
I fell in love with the native & endemic birds of NZ when I learned at university just how especially unique our wildlife was and how incredibly lucky we were to have them. It was also considerably poignant for me to also learn just how much we’ve lost and are still rapidly losing. Even our national icon, the kiwi, was fated to become extinct.
Since then I have gotten involved with many projects to protect them by trapping stoats and baiting for rats and mice.
As years have gone by, I’m probably even more fascinated by them. I am incredibly proud to be a NZer, not only to be associated with a country that has such beautiful flora and fauna, and leads the world in island conservation but also to be taking an active role in conservation myself. I’d like to think I’m making a difference even if it’s only a small part.
If I had a copy of this wonderful book, I would treasure it for always.
I’m a scientist raised by an art historian and this book beautifully combines those two different parts of my life.
The art in this beautiful book reminds me of a much loved smaller book that my mum had. I found that inspriational as a child and would love to have this book to flick through whenever I feel in need of inspiration.
A beautiful looking book I’d love to win,because I can’t afford to buy it.
What a beautiful example of New Zealand’s amazing bird life! I hope this book is an inspiration for many more generations to come, teaching our children about what New Zealand has and used to have and how precious and fragile our wildlife is. I would use this book to inspire my children to treasure our national emblems as well as the process of gathering and respecting scientific knowledge.
I would love this book as a beautiful way to teach my son about the past and present birds of Aotearoa!
As a bird lover, and a native bird lover particularly I would love to add this to my humble library
Awesome! John Gerrard Keulemans work is simply fantastic. As a fellow artist of New Zealand native birds, I have always admired his work. As Siiri above said, This along side my Audrey Eagles books would be a treasure.
This is a beautiful book. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Looks beautiful. I remember my grandfather had something similar.
I would simply love this book.
The book belongs on my coffee table because it brings my outdoors (increasingly adorned with wonderful birds overflowing from Zealandia) inside… You could call it outdoor-indoor flow.
This Sunday, I’m going to Tiritiri Matangi to volunteer for a week with DOC on the island. This book would a stupendous souvenir from my time spent with New Zealand’s finest feathered friends!
Beautiful imagery, not a great artist myself, but remember the days where my reference books where paintings not photos and being captivated by them. Just wonderful to sit and stare at.
Art meets science. This is why i want this book!
Our birds are our heritage. Their songs are as beautiful as their plumage, and Buller and Keulemans were so privileged to experience them in glorious numbers such as we will never see. Beautiful AND sad. This book will be a fine companion to Tennyson and Martinson’s “Extinct Birds of New Zealand”, with both being stark reminders of how much we have lost and will continue to lose if we are not vigilant.
What a Awesome book I would love to be able to know the correct names to all the new birds that I spot this book would help me so much 🙂 thanks and good luck everyone
I have coveted this book since I saw it in my local bookshop. It would be an artistically sublime reminder of the heritage we recognised then and must continue to treasure now and in the future. Best of luck to all!
It would be awesome as I’m teaching 5 yr old to recognise birds and the illustrations would help alot!
A piece of naturalist history such as this deserves to sit amongst my collection (small library) of NZ natural history publications. Moreover, the story behind the discovery of the original water colours by Keulemans means this would fit perfectly on my bookshelf at eye level in between my (and my wife’s) art/art history books and my other ornithology books.
I love this book! If I don’t win I will save up to buy it for myself as a graduation pressie post PhD in 18 months time 🙂
A piece of naturalist history such as this deserves to sit amongst my collection (small library) of NZ natural history publications. Moreover, the story behind the discovery of the original water colours by Keulemans means this would fit perfectly on my bookshelf at eye level in between my (and my wife’s) art/art history books and my other ornithology books.
Would be an Upgrade to the old book we have
I would love to own a copy of this book as I am a complete bird nerd. My ex partner had always told me a story of how he had owned a copy of it but he lent it to an ornithologist friend of his that latter denied it. This tantalizing tail has inspired my desire to own it, the daughter of the naughty ornithologist gave me a book called the Doomsday book of animals which I have read from cover to cover and shared and always had returned. I am an Environmental Management student and am currently doing a couple of papers on conservation management, the stories of the success and failure are inspirational as learning tools for those of us who are going out there to do our bit.
I would like to win as am an NZ bird fanatic highly short of funds (at present)!
What a wonderful, beautiful book. I’ve always been in awe of Buller’s brilliant work, for the quantity and quality. I adore the birds of New Zealand and this is a sad reminder of all that’s lost and a warning to keep up our conservation work. As a poor environmental post-grad student, I can’t afford to buy this fabulous book so would really appreciate the win!
As a photographer and video artist who has largely focused on birds, this book would be amazing to add to my bookshelf and have as a research tool.
Who wouldn’t love this book?! If I were to win it would be much loved and much read by myself and my equally eco-geeky flatmates and friends
I would like to win this book because birds make me happy. Books also make me happy. If I had this book I would look at it all the time and be very happy.
I’m going to buy this if I don’t win, it’s beautiful, as are our birds :))
I would like this beautiful book so I can pass it down to my yet-to-be-born children and them to their children and so on. It illustrates Aotearoa-New Zealand’s special characters, the birds, of this land that are part of our heritage and of our collective imagination.
How many of the birds in the book are now extinct? I’m a poet: I’ve written a kakapo poem; I’ll write the others in the book. I wish I had moved to NZ 30 years ago. I’ll pay the postage to the US, if I win.
that sounds like an awesome book, and one that would wasily ‘find a home’ in so many private homes as well as libraries.
living in the West Island I don’t think I’m eligible to win [even though I would be more than happy to pay the postage etc entailed to send it here], but I’d like to suggest giving a copy to any of the Senior Citizens groups that have an interest in birds, or to a facility for the needy to interest them ,
not jealous, or sulking at all, no i’m not
*pout*
cant wait to win this beautiful book
I would just love this book. I am only new to NZ birds through my new found passion of photographing them. I tried painting years ago & failed at that so am so stoked I have at last found a way of expressing myself through photography. Therefore I realise that those paintings in this book are the product of such hard work and the talent of the artist is so precious to us as New Zealanders and our heritage.
This is the most amazing book.
I would love to be able to place it alongside my edition of Eagle’s Complete Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand which are handy at all times to look up or just admire the detail.
I take my hat off to J G Keulemans. His exquisite work is inspirational, although quite different in style to my own illustrations for the Kiwi Critters! It’s great that such a book is being made available and I’m sure it will inspire the current generation to protect what is precious.
Science and art combined – lovely.
I would like the book so that I could do better watercolour paintings and see what other artists have done, and see this amazing book.
What a beautiful book! Everyone would like to get this charm as a gift!
I would enjoy this book because I would never have an opportunity to peruse it otherwise… I haven’t the funds.
Thank you for the contest.
This book is a poignant memorial to the many birds that have been lost to New Zealand and the world, and a powerful reminder of why we mustn’t let that happen again. I’d like my Kiwi grandson to be able to look at this book in wonder, and to learn from it.
These birds are the stuff of dreams, I will never get to NZ to see them, I enjoy them vicariously through the brilliant work of photographers.
I am a primary teacher. As well as having this beautiful book to cherish I will be able to share it with the students I teach and pass on my love of New Zealand birds to them and emphasize to them how precious the birds are and how we need to look after them.
Why do I want this book?
Because its such a stunning book to behold!
Who would not want this book.!! We are so lucky to have such an amazing collection of stunning bird species in NZ and whats more we have had someone enthusiastically record their details. This book is a treasure. To own this book would give me nothing but pleasure.
This is a gorgeous book that I would be very glad to own! Sadly it is also something of a memorial to lost birds of New Zealand, and contains a cautionary tale about care of those we have left. My dad was passionate about our bird life, and loved the Karori Sanctuary Trust’s dream for our future. This book would also remind me of his legacy to me and my family.
Two years ago I was a student at Whitireia New Zealand, studying Contemporary Jewellery Design. Through my study and research I discovered that my great grandfather was commissioned by Walter Buller to collect and mount (taxidermy) native NZ birds for museums around the world. The birds featured in the Canterbury Museum Hall of New Zealand birds are mostly the work of my great uncle who created the Hall, and his son, and the pair of huia that are exhibited there have made an appearance in a brooch that I produced while studying. Since my discoveries about my family I have had a particular interest in the loss of the beautiful huia and am drawn to work that celebrates and commemorates it. If my father was still with us this book would be the perfect gift for him as he adored our native bird life but he passed away earlier in the year. In his absence, I would treasure it.
i drove to Dunedin from Christchurch to see Sirocco, i am seriously in love with him! i have the hand guide to birds and have done some bird watching courses. This book looks so beautiful and redolent of more abundant times.
The more people that are acquainted with our unique wildlife the better – this book will definitely help.
It would make the perfect companion to our copy of Audrey Eagle’s plant book.
My daughter’s favourite book is a bird guide we picked up in Aussie – this looks like a serious competitor
I would love to be able to share the pictures and stories in this book with my son. He is 7 years old and we both love watching the Tui, Silvereyes and Kahu that fly around our house.
Either way, thanks for posting about this book!
I was fortunate to be able to take two grandchildren to see Sirocco recently and would love the book to give to them to further their growing knowledge and love of our birds.
Local legend in Tararua is that this is where the last live Huia were seen,fortunately beautiful art works like these help us see what we once had and what we now have to protect.
Ohhhh, my goodness! How on earth are you going to choose a winner? I have read all of the above comments and reasons as to why the writer would like to win this awesome book and there are so many people who deserve it you are not going to have an easy job!
Now that I have finished my studies I will get back into my passion owning my own pest free sanctuary. This book no doubt will be cherished by myself providing detail about the birds we have lost stressing that we should look after the ones we have left.
ohemgee I love this book. natural history is my jam and this would be an absolute treasure. well done te papa!
Stunningly beautiful, would love to own a copy. New Zealand birds are so unique and so special. incedently my all time favourite dictionary definition used to be in Chamber… Kea – a New Zealand parrot that sometimes kills sheep. I always wondered what foreigners would make of that! It’s been changed in the latest editions though.
Hi, I’d love to win this book! I love NZ birds and if I don’t win maybe I’ll put in on my christmas wish list!
I want to keep this book prominently displayed so everyone can see. Then one day in the future, when it is well worn, I will take it to my bach.
Hi i would really love a copy of the book… I have 2 Kotare/Kingfishers tattooed on each of my arms and there the best things i have. They are in honor of my 2 beautiful sisters… x
We would love to win this book! Olly (age 7) is bird mad. We travelled down to Maungatautari to meet Sirocco which was awesome. This is a beautiful book to be handed down as a family treasure!
The illustrations are beautifully drawn and looks like a fascinating read too!
Would so love a copy of this book – I also illustrate New Zealand native birds but, nothing as beautiful as these!
The first thing my eldest son (then 11) did when we arrived in NZ two years ago was to read and memorise some books about the local birds. He has always loved birds, and learning about and watching the birds in New Zealand has been his great comfort in the middle of all the worries associated with relocating to a new country and speaking a new language. I was actually leafing through this very book the other day at the bookshop, thinking it would make the most wonderful Christmas present for him (and the rest of the family). The artwork is absolutely beautiful!
I would love a chance to win this book so I can teach fellow expats and travelers about New Zealand’s wonderful native birdlife.
I just love New Zealand birds – the book looks wonderful and like an heirloom work.
I love New Zealand’s natural heritage. Its a shame so many of our native species are threatened with extinction or are extinct due to the impacts of human settlement. It would be wonderful to be able to see the pictures and read the comments about extinct birds such as our Huia and Piopio in the words of someone who once saw and studied the real live creatures.
The illustrations are of superb quality and overall a great looking book!
I like!
My son and I love our native bush and birds and have enjoyed introducing them to our German exchange student. This would be a lovely gift to send her home with.
My 9 year old daughter (a future scientist, she tells me) loves birds and already knows quite a lot about Finnish birds (we moved to NZ at the end of last year). This book would be the best Christmas present for her!
As a relatively new resident of New Zealand (12 years now), I love seeing and learning about all the different, unique and interesting birds here.
I recently moved to Aro Valley in Wellington, and am thrilled with the ease of seeing almost all the native species there at my doorstep – especially being able to hand-feed the cheeky Kakas!
I also enjoyed the opportunity to get to Zealandia to see Sirocco when he was here in Wellington.
I’d really like to win this book!
My dog only has three legs.
This is wonderful! I am a postgrad student at Massey working with wild NZ birds (especially saddlebacks) and this would be fantastic!
I have always been a twitcher and spent much of my time bird watching in England before I moved to the USA – where I teach my grandson to notice and marvel at birds, and I am a keen amateur art connoisseur (AND an admirer of Stephen Fry, too) , so I would love and treasure the book
I’m in love with birds, especially the New Zealand species, I’m working towards a painting exhibition based on some of these birds in this book. I would love to own it.
A book that highlights the real beauty of our unique birds, what we have lost and what we may yet lose will be treasured by anyone who cares.. and may awaken an interest in those who are simply unaware. I would love it for my coffee table.
It seems there are others that desire Buller’s Birds of New Zealand more than me – perhaps they are more deserving than me too.
Great Te Papa Press has published this edition for more people to enjoy and learn about our unique species and conservation.
Would love to view these pictures.
Our native birds immortalised
ink and watercolour
forever gone, some
live on in these beautiful pages
as treasure
their calls ring out
the dawn chorus
may yet rise again
I’d love this book because I like to imagine keulemans sketching the illustrations without having even been to NZ! Incredible!
As a keen birder and photographer this book would be a welcome addition to my collection.
What a beautiful book! I have started painting birds recently and work like this is inspiring. I have ogled this book at the bookstore and would love to be a proud owner to this book to share with my son.
I study the environment.
I want this book. want want want want 😀
It would go next to my field guide to NZ birds.
Something to treasure for ever. Such a worthwhile book to have.
because for a broke environmental student dreams are free
I have all ways been interested in our Native Flora & Forna & believed in the conservation of our native Flora & Forna. It is good that we be interested in world wide conservation but i believe we should worry about our own Flora & Forna first.
The mighty MOA is extinct now and other varieties of bird!, i don’t want any more species to become extinct.
There is wonderful fantastic conservation of our very own KIWI BIRD going on extensive Government funding should be given for this freat cause.
So as much study and conservation as possible should be done. The government should pull finger and do more for the conservation of our Native Flora & Forna. Owning one of the ” BULLER’S BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND ” book would give me a better knowledge of our native birds and of course other species as well.
I believe every KIWI house ( or flat ) should have one COPY of ” BULLER’S BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND ” book.
Oh wow, beautiful! Please do put me in the draw for it 🙂 It would be an incredible reference book for my own amateur drawings of our awesome NZ birds. So cute!!
I love birds so much that I plan holidays and day trips around where I will be able to see and photograph them. My most recent adventure was to Tiritiri Matangi where I was able to enjoy my favourite birds – the takahe and hihi. I have so much more to learn about NZ birds and this book would be a valued treasure.
I would adore a copy of this book and treasure it. Wherever I go I take my camera and photograph birds. I recently visited Tiritiri Matangi and was able to see birds I’d never seen before other than in books like this special one.
I am blessed to live between Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and Otari Bush. The birdlife is staggeringly beautiful. I would love to own this book and be able to expand my knowledge of our treasured wildlife.
beautiful birds!
Having just enjoyed a beautiful three days on the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island this book would be beautiful reminder of all the wonderful bird life there.
Wow, the colour plates look terrific!
I’m going to the NZ (south island) for the first time in December, can’t wait!!
Been learning all the NZ bird calls and trying to figure out where to go and bird during my stay.
We have very good friends in NZ the book could be shipped to as well 🙂
The paintings are gorgeous and I would especially love to see the John’s impression of the kokako, takahe and kakapo (my 3 favourite NZ birds).
I am passionate about New Zealand birds and would love this beautiful book to add to my collection!
Yes please.
Good to see it as the artist intended and well produced. certainly would love to have a copy.
I am passionate about birds and art and this beautiful book brings them both together. I would be proud to own it.
This book looks beautiful. I’d love to have a copy for me, but also to share with my future children and grandchildren.
My 9 yr old has been obsessed by NZ Birds since he was a preschooler. He wants me to get a job at DOC so that he can visit Tiri anytime he likes! We’ve had all the bird books out of the library more than once. This beautiful book would be a superb addition to his (already well read) library!
Would lobve a copy of this book 🙂
I would love to win this book for my granddaughter. She is 7 years old and has been passionate about birds ever since watching David Attenborough’s “Life of Birds”. The first time would have been when she was about 4 and she has watched it many times since then. She has grown up without TV and besides the odd movie, what she mostly watches, if anything, are wildlife programmes. Her very close friend is a little bantam called “Hop Rocker” (named by her parents I might add). She is very observant and lives in an area where tui, korimako and kereru come into her garden to feed. I asked her recently what she would like to do in her life and she said she wasn’t sure but she would like to be like David Attenborough.
I’m old enough to remember when our school pads had pictures on the cover from the original ‘Buller’s Birds”. So I guess I was ‘imprinted’ at a young age and can instantly recognise the prints. But I would love to have this new edition with the best ever reproductions of the original paintings. What a family heirloom!
My my what a wonderful family heirloom – I would be so proud to pass this beauty on to my grandchildren
Mary Cornwell
As a small child I had the rare privelige of looking at a first edition of Buller’s Birds which belonged to my elderly aunt.. I have never forgotten the beautiful illustrations which were to engengender a lifelong interest our native birds. To be able to once again view these unforgettable paintings and to share them with my little granddaughter and to pass them on to another generation would be awesome!
I can’t pretend to any winning reason to want this book beyond sheer, whimpering book-lust. I have been hearing and reading about this new edition, and I am just so delighted it has been published, whether I win or not.
This is right up my alley! I need to add this to my collection of all things bird and art, and most of all, Kakapos! (Actually, I run 2 blogs about it).
Please… Pretty please?
I live an breath art and avian rescue/conservation.
If I don’t win, I’m gonna suffocate. =B
In all seriousness, I’m happy you’re doing this. Either way, go forth and continue to spread awareness! <3
¡Excelente Libro!
All I want to do is save NZ birds, this book looks awesome!
Love birds…who wouldn’t want this book?
Would definitely purchase this if I don’t win
I would love this so much because using it I could teach my children about my love of birds and art.
Yes your children could learn so much from BULLERS BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND if schools had copy’s of this book book the children would learn to appreciate the birds possibly that would teach the children how important the birds are to nature.
I wonder, when he drew these, if he knew how quickly some of them would be gone from the world, the Huia on the cover is such a famous picture. The man was a talent and his work, a Taonga.
Wauw, wauw, wauw, awesome !
My Mum and Dad have an old copy at their place; I’d love to have a copy to share with my kids. Although to be honest, it’d be primarily for my own perusal.
This is a beautiful book. Wouldnt I love to own one!
New Zealand’s aggressive approach to save their remaining native flora and fauna is to be commended. It should be used as a model world-over. Hats off to the department of conservation in saving the kakapo!
i remember these drawings on the front page of my writing pad at school in the fifties and sixties. What a stunning book
The first time I saw a kekapo was in a foci with Stephen fry. I fell unlove…. With Sirrocco that is.
This just looks beautiful, and a Stephen Fry forward to boot!
A wonderful book full of New Zealand’s diverse and beautiful birdlife. I would love it.
A beautiful book showcasing New Zealand’s diverse and wonderful wildlife. I would love to own this.
The ornithological paintings look extraordinary and the fauna of New Zealand is unequalled. Who wouldn’t want to pursue this?
I would love to use this treasure in my science classroom.
I work at rainbow springs kiwi wildlife park.recently i have been getting involved with kiwi and tuatara work.i am 26 and have just realised how much i love nz’s native birds.so much so that i want to get a kiwi,kakapo,whio,karearea,haast eagle and kokako tattood on me.i knw it sounds crazy but i have such a passion for it.this year i met sirocco kakapo for the first time and just recently visited pukaha, mount bruce to meet manukura the white kiwi and also got the oppurtunity to see a kokako,takahe,orange fronted kakariki,hihi and whio.i absolutely loved it.big thumbs up to DOC and what theyre doing there.
I couldn’t believe it when I walked into Whitcoulls 2 days ago and saw the red cover. I knew exactly what the book was. I couldn’t do anything but hold the book. It is one of the most beautiful most famous books ever. I remember the ‘sacred one’ in the city library that the librarian used to look at with me when Mum took me in :-). It would be an honour to win this book.
This wonderful book would take pride of place on my bookshelf!
My lovely daughter-in-law has an abiding passion for native birds and would love a copy of this book. Absolutely exquisite illustrations.
That book is mine!
This would make a fantastic coffee table book. As a keen (most weekends) tramper, it would be terrific to own. The artwork is stunning – looks like photos rather than drawings.
I’m sure I remember this book from my primary school days – were these pictures used on the cover of the A4 writing pads we were issued?
I have had an interest in New Zealand birds since my childhood when i collected Greggs Jelly bird cards. I still have them! Forty- something years later. It would be the highlight of my bird info collection if i won the book!
Looks like a stunning book all around. Nice to see that Stephen Fry has written the introduction!
This book would be enchanting!
I would have the book sent to my parents, who showed me the NZ bush in my childhood, like all parents should
Amazing pictures of even more amazing birds.Beautiful!
A wonderful opportunity to read about our native birds of yesteryear and as many are now extinct truly a remarkable book to have in our library.
Wow what absolutely stunning illustrations
Awsome drawings.. Is this book also available in Europe (Netherlands)? Because it would be an awsome book to own.
This book looks gorgeous. Any book which features my favorite bird – the Kakapo is hoing to end up on my coffee table.
I would ADORE this book. It is absolutely stunning.
As a devoted bird lover, I would love this book.
What a well illustrated publication, a fanastic resource to help identify the visitors to our garden.
The book looks amazing. Beautiful art!!!
Also, if I win after I ogle all the artwork and read the bits and bobs I will give the book to a good friend of mine. He’s a birdwatcher going to NZ on a birdwatching trip.
Very jealous.
This book looks gorgeous! Any book with my favourite bird – the Kakapo – is going to end up on my coffee table.
What an absolutely stunning book!