The youngest giant: Discovery and significance of the remains of a giant moa (Dinornis giganteus) near Turangi, in central North Island, New Zealand

Abstract

A partial skeleton of Dinornis giganteus, radiocarbon dated to 683–651 CAL yr BP, is reported from a pumice pitfall trap near Turangi, close to Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand. A review of other, mostly unpublished, moa discoveries from the Volcanic Plateau region indicates that all seven North Island species formerly occurred there in the late Holocene.

Keywords:

• Dinornis giganteus skeleton
• Turangi
• Holocene
• moa sites
• Volcanic Plateau
• North Island
• New Zealand