The reverse features an eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta; in Māori: kotuku). It is sacred to New Zealand's indigenous Māori people, and highly endangered within the country, only inhabiting the Okarito Lagoon on the South Island. The image of the bird is the same as the one later used for two dollar coins, but flies to the left. Around above, NEW ZEALAND DAY 6 Feb..
Below the bird, the sun rising over waves. Below the sun in tiny letters, the designer's initials JB (for [Reginald George] James Berry).
Around below, the denomination ONE DOLLAR. |