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Story: Te hī ika – Māori fishing

Fish hooks

Image
Fish hooks

Displayed here are a number of matau (fish hooks) from various tribes. The materials include bone, wood, and pāua shell.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: I.006400

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

Paul Meredith, Te hī ika – Māori fishing – Tools, grounds and methods, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/6802/fish-hooks (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Meredith, published 2 March 2009.