The Kiwi and the Eagle

by Nathan Shaw

The Bible often uses the imagery of animals and birds to convey prophetic meaning and national identity. Concerning New Zealand God showed me a kiwi on the earth and an eagle soaring in the sky. Although I saw two distinct birds I intuitively knew that they were one. Kiwi and the now extinct Haast’s eagle are both native and unique to New Zealand. In one sense kiwi and eagles are exact opposites: one is a flightless bird confined to the earth, the other rules over the earth from the sky. These two birds speak to New Zealand’s national identity in significant ways. Further to this, New Zealand is a prophetic message that prophesies destiny to the nations.

The Kiwi

Kiwi are territorial. They have strong feet and will use their talons to defend their territories. Kiwi don’t have good eyesight. They rely instead on hearing and heightened senses of smell and somatosensory perception (touch, temperature, vibration etc.). They are the only birds with nostrils at the end of their beaks, perfect for discerning what’s beneath the ground. Kiwi, like Māori, have a strong relationship with the earth.

In the early 1900s the term kiwi came to be used to represent the nation of New Zealand. By 1917, in the midst of the First World War, the term started to be used to represent the people of New Zealand. This was further cemented during and after the Second World War. During the World Wars Māori and Pākehā (European or non-Māori New Zealanders) fought together against a common enemy. Three particularly significant battles in which Māori and Pākehā fought together were:

• The Battle of Gallipoli (1915). This battle was important in forming a sense of national identity for both New Zealand and Australia and is commemorated every year on ANZAC Day (April 25^th).
• The Battle of Beersheba (1917). Abraham, Isaac and Jacob dwelt at Beersheba. They were sons of covenant, and the fathers of Israel—the nation of covenant.
• The Battle of Jerusalem (1917). Jerusalem became the capital of Israel under King David. The Davidic covenant further paved the way for the coming of Jesus.

It is truly amazing how God used Māori and Pākehā fighting together to help capture both Beersheba and Jerusalem. Kiwi (as in birds) are territorial. Kiwis (as in people) captured territory that had previously been taken by ancient Israel thousands of years earlier.

God made incredible promises to Israel before they conquered the Promised Land. Firstly, they were required to walk in covenant relationship with God. They were commanded: “love the LORD your God,” “walk in all His ways,” “hold fast to Him” (Deuteronomy 11:22). Secondly, God promised to drive out nations that were more powerful than them, declaring that “every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours” (Deuteronomy 11:24). Israel understood what it meant to claim territory with the soles of their feet! In our spiritual battle against principalities and powers we are told, “and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). In other words, this spiritual battle needs strong feet!

The Foundation of Covenant

The revelation of covenant is foundational to New Zealand as a nation. Recently I was speaking at a conference and mentioned the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi (1840). Afterwards a Māori lady came up to me and said with tears in her eyes, “It was a covenant. It was a covenant.” I have never forgotten her heart and her pain.

Toward the end of the English version of the Treaty it says—“[We] accept and enter into [this Treaty] in the full spirit and meaning thereof.” The Treaty was not to be understood as merely words—the words carried and conveyed a much larger essence or spirit. Part of that essence or spirit is the dynamic of covenant. The God of covenant breathed on the formation of the Treaty. That’s why many Māori understood it as covenant. A covenant is a powerful, serious, solemn, wholehearted agreement, that includes prioritizing the well being of each party, and together bringing forth a unique destiny. This breath of God and movement of covenant still resonate over New Zealand in the Spirit.

The Eagle

Unlike kiwi, eagles depend on eye-sight and altitude. The Haast’s eagle was truly a powerful and majestic bird. It is the largest eagle ever known to have existed. It would ambush its prey by diving from tree-tops, in the process reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometres an hour. The force of the impact was like getting hit by a 12 kilogram falling rock. Its legs were massively muscled to cushion its body from the sudden force of the strike. Its talons were as big as tiger’s claws and could penetrate very thick bones. The key to its success: eye-sight, altitude, surprise, speed and strength. It was a formidable foe (Source: Museum of New Zealand, Te Para Tongarewa).

Eagles are known for their very keen eye-sight. Māori are known as very gifted seers. It is the combination of the kiwi (a strong relationship with the earth) and the eagle (an ability to see in the spirit) that speaks to the destiny of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

New Zealand’s Prophetic Destiny

What does all this mean for New Zealand?

• Firstly, there are intense demonic assignments to prevent Māori and Pākehā from recognizing and discerning their common enemies. Through Christ we have spiritual authority to block these assignments and call forth new clarity and heavenly vision. God is calling many intercessors to this task.
• Secondly, as the foundation of covenant is recognized and restored, Māori and Pākehā will begin to walk in the fullness of covenant. The result will be a profound authority to restore the power of covenant in the nations.
• Thirdly, from this foundation of covenant, Māori and Pākehā, as one, will carry an authority to empower people and nations to take the spiritual territories that belong to them. Territorial spirits are so named because they have seats of authority over specific territories—territories that are yet to be reclaimed for God’s purposes.

Kiwi (the birds) and Haast’s eagles both have strong feet. When Aotearoa, New Zealand securely finds her footing (prophetic destiny) her footprint will have a major kingdom impact in the nations of the earth, both claiming territory and defeating foes. Kiwis (the people) will be a formidable foe that will strike terror into the heart of the enemy. From the ends of the earth God will release surprise attacks that will be unstoppable. In a spiritual sense the cry of the Hasst’s eagle will be heard once again, but this time through the people of the land.

© 2021 Nathan Shaw.

Related Articles:
Warriors and Peacemakers – Nathan Shaw
ANZUS, the East Gate, and the Alignment of the Nations – Nathan Shaw

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