New Zealand is home to four flightless birds, the KIWI, MOA, weka, and takahe. The KIWI is a small, nocturnal bird that is the national symbol of New Zealand. The MOA was a large, extinct bird that was hunted to extinction by the Maori people. The weka is a brown, chicken-like bird that is found in many parts of New Zealand. The takahe is a large, flightless bird that was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948. All four of these birds are unique to New Zealand and are an important part of its natural heritage.