Nathan Shaw: The Hokioi and the Hawk
Oct 12, 2025
Ancient Wisdom from an Ancient Eagle The Hokioi is an extinct giant eagle from New Zealand (also known as the Haast's Eagle). Hokioi were known to early Māori and carried great prophetic significance. The following is a description by a Māori, presented in translation in 1872: "This bird, the Hokioi, was seen by our ancestors. We (of the present day) have not seen it—that bird has disappeared now-a-days. The statement of our ancestor was that it was a powerful bird, a very powerful bird. It was a very large hawk. Its resting place was on the top of the mountains; it did not rest on the plains. "On the days in which it was on the wing our ancestors saw it; it was not seen every day as its abiding place was on the mountains. Its colour was red and black and white. It was a bird of (black) feathers, tinged with yellow and green; it had a bunch of red feathers on the top of its head. It was a large bird, as large as the Moa [a large flightless bird]. Its rival was the hawk. "The hawk said that it could reach the heavens; the Hokioi said it could reach the heavens; there was a contention between them. The Hokioi said to the hawk, 'What shall be your sign?' The hawk replied, 'Kei' (the peculiar cry of the hawk). Then the hawk asked, 'What is to be your sign?' The Hokioi replied, 'Hokioi-hokioi-hu-u.' These were their words. They then flew and approached the heavens. The winds and the clouds came. The hawk called out 'kei' and descended, it could go no further on account of the winds and the clouds, but the Hokioi disappeared into the heavens.
The Prophetic Significance of the Hokioi and the Hawk The story of the Hokioi and the hawk draws from ancient Māori wisdom about pride, humility, and the ability to see and discern in the spirit realm. The story carries prophetic weight for a new generation. The hawk represents those who have a level of spiritual discernment and a just cause, but the Hokioi was able to go even higher and see things from a different perspective. The hawk was more visible, because it couldn't go as high as the Hokioi. The hawk was also more audible, because it liked to brag about its significance, discernment, and just cause. While the hawk was both visible and audible, the Hokioi was still "lost" in the heavens. The Hokioi only reappeared at the right time. When it came down from the heavens, it released a unique sound that brought awe into the hearts of friends and foes. A New Breed of Māori Seers A new breed of Māori seers will come forth in this generation. Most of them are not yet seen or heard. They will appear at the right time and release a sound that will shake the nation to its core. It will not be a negative shaking of contention, but a righteous shaking that awakens a nation (and nations) to identity, covenant, and destiny. 1. "Description of the Extinct Gigantic Bird of Prey Hokioi," by a Maori; communicated by Sir G. Grey, K.C.B., Hon. Mem. N.Z. Inst., Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 5, 1872, Page 435.
Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Nathan Shaw Nathan Shaw helps bring individuals and churches into dynamic encounters with God's indescribable love. Over the last twenty years he has been instrumental in ushering in significant moves of the Spirit in over ten different nations. Many have experienced life-changing prophetic encounters and dramatic visitations from God. Nathan is the author of two books: Passion and Fire and Unto the Least of These. Nathan is senior pastor at Fire and Destiny Centre, Dunedin and Celebration Church, Mosgiel.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Thank you for making the always-free "ElijahStreams" possible. To partner with us, click here. Your donations truly help us keep these emails free for you. Donate at: Find us on:
|
"'Kei' is the cry of the hawk. 'Hokioi-hokioi' is the cry of the Hokioi. 'Hu-u' is the noise caused by the wings of the Hokioi. It was recognized by the noise of its wings when it descends to the earth."(1) (brackets added) (Photo via Pexels) 
