“Some of those iconic species that feature in our tribal mythology, our storytelling, are very near and dear to us,” says Ngāi Tahu archaeologist Kyle Davis, who is working on the moa de-extinction project. “Participation in scientific research, species management, and conservation has been a large part of our activities.”

Moa returning from extinction by Colossal Biosciences, entrepreneur Ben Lamm, Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson