Fantail (Pīwakawaka)
A garden moment with Aotearoa’s most joyful bird.
It’s hard not to smile when a fantail appears — flitting between trees, chattering loudly, and always keen to follow you through the bush. This life-sized silhouette captures the cheek and charm of one of Aotearoa’s most treasured native birds: the Pīwakawaka.
In Māori tradition, the Pīwakawaka is seen as a messenger — a guardian, a symbol of transformation, and sometimes a spiritual presence. Whether gifted as a remembrance piece or installed simply to bring some motion and meaning to a garden, this bird always carries something deeper.
Crafted from 3mm Corten® steel, it’s designed to endure the elements and grow more beautiful with time. The metal weathers naturally, forming a deep patina that blends into your surroundings — while always catching the eye.
Our Fantail is:
✓ Beautiful garden companion – 27 cm H × 24 cm W, approx. 300 g
✓ Easy to gift – Flat-packed in an A4 box (31 × 21 × 1 cm)
✓ Swift dispatch – Same-day shipping before 2pm on weekdays
✓ Proudly made in NZ – Crafted in a local family-run workshop
✓ Built for the outdoors – Weathering Corten® steel ages beautifully
✓ Meaningful memorial gift – A natural symbol of presence and memory
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Fantail (Pīwakawaka)
AS SEEN IN
Each Metalbird is crafted from Corten® Steel, a premium, weathering steel made to last.
When it meets the elements, it doesn’t rust like your old BBQ. It transforms.
That change you’re seeing? That’s patina. A tough, protective outer layer that seals the steel, adds character, and preserves your bird for decades.
This isn’t paint. It’s nature’s way of ageing gracefully.
The Patina Process:
At first, you’ll notice bright orange spots (we call this the teenage phase). Soon enough, the whole bird will turn a bold orange, slowly shifting into deep burnt umber. Eventually, it settles into a moody charcoal that feels like it’s always belonged.
The Result? A piece of industrial art with a heartbeat. No peeling, no fading, just a bird that gets better with age.
what’s the word on the bird?
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