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Story: Mātaitai – shellfish gathering

Parcels from home

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Parcels from home

During the Second World War, members of the Māori Battalion stationed overseas welcomed the arrival from home of parcels containing dried seafood. These soldiers were opening their Christmas parcels in Italy, in 1944.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, War History Collection (PAColl-4161)

Reference: DA-07988; F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Mere Whaanga, Mātaitai – shellfish gathering – Traditional patterns of harvest, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8109/parcels-from-home (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Mere Whaanga, published 2 March 2009.