Rare falcon, Atareta, a lofty tribute to late wife

Trevor Maxwell's encounter with a bird rarer than the kiwi and named after his late wife was a fitting way to remember Atareta Maxwell on the fourth anniversary of her death.
Mr Maxwell met Atareta the karearea, or New Zealand falcon, at Rotorua's Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust last Wednesday for the first time and was excited to see her in full flight.
Manager of Wingspan Debbie Stewart said 3-year-old Atareta the bird was bred at Wingspan from two injured falcons and was now one of the birds featured during the daily displays.
Ms Stewart said they named her Atareta because Mr and Mrs Maxwell were both great supporters of Wingspan and Mrs Maxwell had been a remarkable woman. Mrs Maxwell was a leading national figure in kapa haka and also Sir Howard Morrison's sister.
Mr Maxwell said he was very humbled that the rare falcon was named after his wife.
"What a beautiful gesture from a fabulous organisation like Wingspan."
He enjoyed seeing Atareta fly.
"Here she is soaring through the sky and what a wonderful feeling being out there watching her."
Ms Stewart said the falcon was a great display bird and performer.
"It's rather special to think Atareta is living up to her namesake."
She said New Zealand falcons were rarer than kiwis, with an estimated 4000 pairs remaining.
Wingspan is the only bird of prey centre in New Zealand and works to research, provide rehabilitation and shelter for owls, hawks and falcons as well as increase public awareness and education.
Mr Maxwell said one of his and Mrs Maxwell's last trips together was to Greymouth with the Wingspan team for the TrustPower National Community Awards in 2006, when the couple learnt a lot about the trust and got to know the team.
Last week marked the fourth anniversary since Mrs Maxwell's death in January 2007, but Mr Maxwell said it was just a fitting coincidence he met Atareta the bird the same day.
He was there with Rodger Cunningham and Noel Lamberton who were all involved in BluesFeast and were visiting Wingspan because the organisation is the nominated charity for the event this Sunday.
Mr Maxwell said other tributes had been made to Mrs Maxwell. Trees had been planted in her memory at Rotorua Tree Grove and at Rotorua Girls' High School where she taught and was a foundation pupil.