Story: Rock, limestone and clay

Māori words for soil

As gardeners, Māori had many terms for different types of soil. While they never fired clay to make pottery, they were well aware of it – as is clear in this list replicated from the ethnographer Elsdon Best’s book Maori agriculture. Māori also used stone to build rows and walls for gardens, and occasionally for defensive walls in their .

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Rock, limestone and clay - Clay', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/table/5241/maori-words-for-soil (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006