Equal to twice a threepence or half a shilling, the sixpence was one of five denominations of silver coins introduced in the initial issue of New Zealand coinage in 1933.

The coin's final reverse, designed by George Kruger Gray, features a female huia, an extinct New Zealand bird, perched atop a branch.

Large amounts of the devalued Australian currency began to flood into New Zealand, eventually making up 30–40% of all coinage in circulation by early 1933.

This was based on an older crowned bust by Australian sculptor Bertram Mackennal, used on the coinage of other British colonies and dominions.

This design, due to its resemblance to the Soviet Union's hammer and sickle iconography, was strongly rejected by the Royal Mint's Advisory Committee for "undesirable political associations.

"[8] Two alternate designs for the sixpence from Metcalfe, both featuring a stylised six surrounded by the letters "NZ", were described as banal and austere.

This design was rejected by the Advisory Committee due to the impossibility of showing the majority of the spears' hafts.

[10] In July 1933, Coates appointed a Coinage Design Committee, separate from the Royal Mint, composed of various local artists alongside members of the New Zealand Numismatic Society.

[14] Ethnologist Johannes Andersen, writing for The Dominion, described the huia on the coin's reverse as "attractive", but unsatisfactorily designed, due to poorly-rendered wings and a lack of differentiation on the white feathers at the end of the bird's tail.