Traditional pōhā (kelp bags encased in tōtara bark) are used to store the harvested tītī chicks. Bob Whaitiri talks about pōhā.
Transcript
Of course, the kelp had to be collected long before they went on the island. And they had to make flax baskets, and the kelp was treated in such a way that it in itself was more or less preserved until they got to the island and then it was softened until it became pliable. And the treated bird would then be placed inside the kelp bag and the kelp bag itself would be tied until it was airtight. And then it would be put inside of the flax basket and surrounded by tōtara bark to protect the kelp itself. And I have known mutton birds preserved this way in the kelp bag to last at least three years and be as good in three years' time as the day that they were put in there.
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Reference: 43659
Image: Private collection, Margaret Bragg
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