“Bird of Paradise” shows a lush Aotearoa landscape, divided by a long white cloud with day on one side and night on the other. A joyful bouquet of native and exotic flowers on the kiwi’s rear-end surprises us. It features Emma’s signature depiction of the monarch butterfly’s lifecycle, a key pollinator for our ecosystem. The kiwi, as a seed disperser, regenerates our native bush in much the same way.

It’s a privilege to walk our trails, hear the tūī sing, and watch the pīwakawaka dance. Knowing our national bird is nearby, quietly treading the bush floor at night, reminds us of our shared identity as New Zealanders and our deep connection to this beautiful land.

I feel so lucky to be a Kiwi and call Aotearoa home.

To see “Bird of Paradise” before it joins the Auckland leg of the Kiwi Art Trail, it is currently on display at Eden Garden.