Seabirds and shorebirds are the stars of a new limited edition Blunt umbrella created to raise awareness of the importance of protecting marine life. By Fee Cortis
Forest & Bird magazine
A version of this story was first published in the Spring 2025 issue of Forest & Bird magazine.
Often overlooked in favour of their land-dwelling counterparts, Aotearoa New Zealand’s seabirds and shorebirds are also in trouble and equally deserving of our attention.
Many of our incredible marine species – from soaring giant albatross to tiny tara iti fairy terns – are classified as endangered or at risk of extinction. They need our help to survive habitat loss, climate change impacts, and introduced predators.
To bring this conservation story to life, Blunt and Forest & Bird have partnered with acclaimed artist Tanya Wolfkamp to create a 2025 limited edition marine bird Metro umbrella, available for sale from mid-October.
Inspired by the natural surroundings of her own backyard, Waiheke Island and the Hauraki Gulf, Tanya brought a painterly approach to the project, one that was shaped by her background in textile and mural design.
Tanya chose to depict 16 different species, reflecting the fact that Aotearoa New Zealand is a globally important hotspot for a multitude of marine birdlife.
Her design includes critically endangered birds, such as hoiho yellow-eyed penguin, kōtuku great white heron, and tūturuatu shore plover, alongside other at-risk species, including Kaikōura tītī Hutton’s shearwater, tarāpuka black-billed gull, penguins, and dotterels.
The new BLUNT marine canopy by Tanya Wolfkamp
“The list of seabirds was suggested by Forest & Bird, and I added a poaka pied stilt as there was a gap in the composition and I love them,” said Tanya.
Tanya began the design by painting a layered background of teal and aqua gouache waves, complete with rocky shoreline details.
Each bird was illustrated individually in pencil and ink before being arranged in a harmonious, swirling composition across the canopy.
“Hopefully, people using the umbrella will feel cheerful on a rainy day, as they look through the semi-transparent canopy at the seagulls and petrels swirling above,” said Tanya.
“Or maybe, if they enjoy rain like I do, feel empathy with the birds who relish it too and perch there, happily buffeted by the salt spray and wet weather.”
This is the third canopy collaboration as part of Blunt’s ongoing partnership with Forest & Bird. Each limited-edition umbrella, brought to life by a New Zealand artist, raises awareness of the challenges facing nature and helps support our conservation work.
The partnership continues beyond the umbrella itself. This year also marks the first of many volunteer days, with Blunt staff working alongside Forest & Bird’s Pest-Free Hibiscus Coast Project staff and volunteers.
They helped record native species, removed invasive weeds, and looked after newly planted bush. Habitat protection like this is vital for the wellbeing of our seabirds and shorebirds.
“This collaboration is more than a beautiful design. It’s a celebration of nature, a call to awareness, and a tangible way to support the guardians of Aotearoa New Zealand’s precious coastal wildlife,” said Greig Brebner, founder and design director of Blunt Umbrellas.
Fee Cortis is head of marketing at Blunt.
Buy now from Blunt Umbrellas.
To see more of Tanya’s artworks, visit tanyawolfkamp.com