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Story: Mātaitai – shellfish gathering

Mussel dredge

Mussel dredge

The kapu (mussel dredge) was used to scoop up freshwater mussels, and consisted of a wooden frame with a bag-net attached.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: B.000801

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

Mere Whaanga, Mātaitai – shellfish gathering – Mussels, oysters, toheroa and other species, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/8104/mussel-dredge (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Mere Whaanga, published 2 March 2009.