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Kōrero: Kauri gum and gum digging

Fire starter

Image
Fire starter

Kauri gum burns readily. The flame is about twice the size of the chunk of gum, which gives off black smoke with an odour similar to sealing wax. It bubbles like golden syrup as it burns, and leaves a small lump of black resin when it is spent.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Mark Walrond

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.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Carl Walrond, Kauri gum and gum digging – Origin and early uses, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/12950/fire-starter (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Carl Walrond, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.