The desire to own something of the huia remains strong internationally. In 2023, a pair of stuffed huia sold at a British auction for NZD$466,000, despite public pleas for the New Zealand government to intervene and bring them home.
The specimen was one of the best huia feathers the house had seen come to market.
There are few details over the provenance of the feather and Morris could not divulge information about the vendor or buyer due to confidentiality agreements. But she said they were both registered collectors and New Zealand-based. There were no international bids.
