A group of New Zealanders have captured the attention of biologists worldwide using the biggest ever DNA study to identify five new species of moa.

Moa's are an iconic part of New Zealand's history and the groundbreaking research shows that at 140 kilograms some of the new species far outweigh modern day icons such as the kiwi.

"It's very exciting. It's a major finding because we now have a much better understanding of how many kinds of moa there were and where they were," says Professor David Lambert from Massey University