Tairua (Pearlshell lure find site)

SITE TO VISIT
Tairua
'


Ethnicity:	Maori
Site type:	Midden
Where:	Tairua
How to get there:	Car is best
How Long to allow:	15 minutes.
Disclaimer

Location:

On the harbour side of the point going out to Paku hill - the north side of the entrance to the harbour. There is a marker on the site (see pic below).

What:

A midden site excavated here in 1964 consisted of two deposits, an early one with many typical components of early sites and an overlying midden site. The pearl shell lure was the most spectacular find. Pearl shell does not grow in New Zealand so this must have been imported to New Zealand on a Polynesian voyaging canoe. It would have been used as a trolling fishing lure. Another similar one is known from Slipper Island but unlike this it is not from a secure archaeological context and hence its date is unknown, leaving the slim possibility the latter one is a recent import. See the plaque picture for further information.

What else to do there:

Tairua is a pleasant coastal town with good swimming - particularly at Pauanui - catch the ferry over.

Web info:

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/topics/tairua-trolling-lure