Flat Shea and the beautiful Murals at Matawai

Flat Shea traveled through a lot of small towns between Auckland and Gisborne.   One town they stopped in along the way was Matawai.  (Maa taa Why)

This is a Mural of one of our native birds the Kereru or New Zealand Wood Pigeon.  You can also see some beautiful Yellow flowers of one of our native NZ trees the Kowhai (Caw fie)  Tree - (Kowhai  means Yellow in Maori)

 New Zealand's native pigeon, also known as kererū, kūkū and kūkupa and wood pigeon, is the only disperser of large fruits, such as those of karaka and taraire trees, we have. The disappearance of the kererū would be a disaster for the regeneration of our native forests.

The kererū is a large bird with irridescent green and bronze feathers on its head and a smart white vest. The noisy beat of its wings is a distinctive sound in our forests. The pigeon is found in most lowland native forests of the North, South and Stewart/Rakiura islands and many of their neighbouring islands. http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/nz-pigeon-kereru/

 This is a mural of the NZ Tui (two ee) bird.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/tui/
 Tūī are common throughout New Zealand in forests, towns and on off-shore islands. They are found in native forests, bush reserves and bush remnants.

They are adaptable birds, and can also be found in suburban areas, particularly in winter if there is a flowering gum about.

These attractive birds can often be heard singing their beautiful melodies long before they are spotted.

If you are fortunate to glimpse one you will recognise them by their distinctive white tuft under their throat. This tuft contrasts dramatically with the metallic blue-green sheen to their underlying black colour. 

Tui's have a beautiful song - you could listen them here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlw5eYq0KxE

Flat Shea couldnt pass up the opportunity to have a photo taken at the local police station too.    One interesting thing to know about Police in NZ is that they dont carry guns around like in America.  They wear Blue uniforms too.