Our big birds set for New Year knees-up

By FRANCESCA MOLD

As a puppeteer, Sue Hill must help to handle not just one leg but a full 6m of model moa.

Three of the giant birds are being "reincarnated" for a special appearance at New Year's Eve celebrations in the Auckland Domain. Sue Hill and about 30 other artists have spent the past two months creating a cast of characters, including the moa, for a production called This Is It.

The play will depict major events of the past 2000 years.

She says the creatures are extremely hefty and consist of metal skeletons covered with bird net and other fabrics. Their legs, heads and necks will be manipulated by six operators working from underneath.

She isn't sure if there are plans for the birds after the show, or whether they will become extinct, like their role models.