Muttonbirds, or tītī, were found mainly on offshore islands and needed to be carefully handled to preserve and transport them. Listen to sea captain Bob Whaitiri (Ngāi Tahu) explain this process, which remained in use well into the 20th century.
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.
Using this item
Hocken Collections, University of Otago
Reference: 2034-01-0112A.jpg
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Bob Whaitiri interview/Reference: 43659
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