In New Zealand's temperate climate, capes or cloaks woven from New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) were important and also prestigious items of clothing for Māori. Especially in the second half of the 19th century, feathered cloaks gained in importance, with the feathers of both native and introduced bird species being used. On this cloak you can find blue-black feathers of tūī (Prostemadera novaeseelandiae), valuable orange and red feathers of kākā (Nestor meridionalis), brown kiwi feathers (Apteryx australis ssp.), green and white feathers of kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) and light green kākāriki feathers (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae). Feathers from pheasants introduced by Europeans (including Phasianus colchicus) were also used. Text: Ulrich Menter