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Story: Mātaitai – shellfish gathering

Freshwater mussel

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Freshwater mussel

This is the freshwater mussel, or kākahi. Its juice was often used as a healthy drink for children.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10056104

by Sjaan Chateris

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

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How to cite this page

Mere Whaanga, Mātaitai – shellfish gathering – Mussels, oysters, toheroa and other species, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8105/freshwater-mussel (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Mere Whaanga, published 2 March 2009.