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Story: Stewart Island/Rakiura

Bags of muttonbirds, around 1910

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Bags of muttonbirds, around 1910

A mixed population of Māori and Pākehā descent established itself on Stewart Island from the 1830s. These three men are engaged in a long-established island activity – muttonbirding. The bagged muttonbirds (also known as tītī or sooty shearwaters) are ready for shipment to the mainland.

Using this item

Hocken Collections, University of Otago

Reference: S09-240a

Permission of the Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Stewart Island/Rakiura – History to 1850, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/37629/bags-of-muttonbirds-around-1910 (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 30 November 2012, updated 1 May 2015.