Description

Ruru – Morepork

He kaitiaki o te pō — a guardian of the night, watching quietly from the shadows.

Mysterious and deeply woven into the stories of Aotearoa, the Ruru (Morepork) is a nocturnal guardian of the forest. Heard more often than seen, its distinctive call carries through the night, symbolising protection, awareness, and the unseen rhythms of the natural world.

This artwork is crafted from solid New Zealand Rimu, salvaged from a central Christchurch building damaged and later demolished following the February 2011 earthquake. Once used as display shelving, the timber has been carefully selected for its exceptional quality—free from nail holes, laminates, glue joins, or composite construction. Each piece is made from a single, uninterrupted section of Rimu, preserving both strength and story within the grain.

The Ruru is laser-engraved with carefully controlled contrast to retain fine facial detail while embracing the depth and stillness associated with this night bird. Framed by Ponga (tree fern) fronds, the design balances darkness and negative space to create a calm yet powerful statement wall art piece, grounded in both craft and meaning.

Details

• Material: Reclaimed solid New Zealand Rimu

• Design: Ruru / Morepork with Ponga (tree fern)

• Size: 230 mm at widest point

• Depth: 18 mm

• Finish: Natural timber, laser-engraved

• Packaging: Beautifully gift boxed, ready to gift

• Made in: Geraldine, New Zealand

• Export suitability: Suitable for export to countries accepting wooden products

From fallen timber to something to treasure — a piece of history preserved for generations to come.