Story: Moriori

Carving of seals

Carving of seals

These stylised seals were carved on the walls of a limestone cave on Rēkohu (Chatham Island). Seals had immense importance for Moriori, both as part of their diet and as symbols of the spiritual world.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-080796

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Denise Davis and Māui Solomon, 'Moriori - The migrations from Hawaiki', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1683/carving-of-seals (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Denise Davis and Māui Solomon, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2017