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Story: Kauri gum and gum digging

Fire starter

Image
Fire starter

Kauri gum burns readily. The flame is about twice the size of the chunk of gum, which gives off black smoke with an odour similar to sealing wax. It bubbles like golden syrup as it burns, and leaves a small lump of black resin when it is spent.

Using this item

Private collection

by Mark Walrond

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Kauri gum and gum digging – Origin and early uses, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12950/fire-starter (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 1 March 2009.