Which raptor is shown on New Zealand’s $20 banknote?

The New Zealand falcon is shown on New Zealand’s $20 banknote.

Known in Māori as kārearea, the New Zealand falcon appears on the reverse of the note alongside native flora. Its inclusion highlights a distinctive predator found only in New Zealand, where it occupies forests, open country, and mountainous terrain.

The New Zealand falcon is a powerful, fast-flying bird that hunts smaller birds and other animals. It usually catches prey in flight or pursues it through vegetation. Unlike the widespread peregrine falcon, the New Zealand falcon is endemic to New Zealand and has evolved its own local hunting habits.

The species has often been confused with the Australasian harrier, another common New Zealand raptor. The falcon is generally more compact and agile, while the harrier has broader wings and a more buoyant flight. The banknote image therefore represents a uniquely New Zealand species rather than a generic falcon.