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Story: Mātaitai – shellfish gathering

Collecting in the Bay of Islands

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Collecting in the Bay of Islands

Traditionally, collecting kaimoana (seafood) was of great importance. Even today, seafood is a highly valued food resource for Māori. Continuing the tradition, two young boys collect shellfish in a flax basket in the Bay of Islands.

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How to cite this page

Mere Whaanga, Mātaitai – shellfish gathering – Customary harvest and conservation today, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8111/collecting-in-the-bay-of-islands (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Mere Whaanga, published 2 March 2009.