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Story: Sharks and rays

Mako teeth

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Mako teeth

So valued were the teeth of great white sharks, Māori used to trade them throughout the country. In daring feats, men would lasso the sharks around the tail to bring them to shore, ensuring the teeth were not damaged. The teeth would later be strung together in a necklace.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: I.007871

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Sharks and rays – Māori and sharks, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5311/mako-teeth (accessed 12 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.