The Superman story "The Last Moa on Earth", written by Cary Bates, appeared in DC Action Comics Vol.36 No.425, published in New York in July 1973. It is filled with classic DC fight scenes and melodrama, and although some of the finer details can make readers in Aotearoa giggle, it carries a serious message about the environment.
In the story, hunter Jon Halaway explores the untamed jungle near Taranaki when he is startled by a large aggressive bird and shoots it. He takes it to a Research Game Reserve near Hāwera where a scientist confirms he has killed the last moa on earth.
Halaway is wracked with guilt at causing the extinction and is determined to right his wrongs. He explores the jungle again, this time finding an egg which has been kept warm by strange exotic marsh gas. He takes the egg back to Metropolis in America where he hopes to revive the species.
![Hunter John Halaway kills the last living moa and consults a speciliast in Hāwera.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/6O6IORU54LMP4H34XUY7ZQT7IY.jpg?auth=f90cbbfdf0add56962b7eb0d3b5b49d3e55bb59e1cea8ceaeb794464849d0ab8&width=16&height=15&quality=70&smart=true)
Journalist Clarke Kent interviews him but Halaway collapses. Kent, aka Superman, discovers the egg has been sapping Halaway's energy on the long-haul flight. The egg hatches and the baby moa escapes. Superman chases it and soon discovers the exotic fumes have given the moa extraordinary abilities – it can fly, attack with its feathers and talons, and shed and regrow limbs in an instant.