Daniel Mundy

Attributed to nineteenth-century Ōtautahi Christchurch photographer Daniel Mundy, this well-structured image presents nineteen moa skeletons of varying height, corralled together within a squared framework of timber struts and railings. Supporting armatures extend the skeletons to heights beyond those of the living birds. A ghostly row of moa feet appears beneath the nearest balustrade. Mundy became noted at this time as a contributor to illustrated journals including the Illustrated London News. His natural history photographs circulated internationally and were collected in Britain and America, as well as within ccolonial New Zealand scientific networks.

(Bird Land: Te Kāhui Manu 15 August 2026 – 8 February 2027)