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Like our neighbours in. the Pacific, Maori see and value the oceans surrounding Aotearoa New Zealand as a great food basket. Fish, seaweed, and all manner of other seafoods have always been a major part of their diet. The bounty of the sea is attributed to Tangaroa - god of the sea.

Traditionally ocean-going canoes (waka) were made from the trunks of native hardwoods, which were hollowed out and shaped and carved. Double-hulled and triple-hulled canoes often bore sails woven from native flax (harakeke). Fishermen sailed far from the coast on these large canoes, taking nets, lines, hooks and other equipment, and often with a fire on board.

In New Zealand’s metropolitan museums there are large collections of traditional Maori fishing equipment, including the canoes.

Maori commercial fishing is Aow a modern large-scale industry and fish and seafood are exported around the world. Maori exporters send live snapper and lobster and many other fish exports to Asia, North America, Europe, and many other destinations. In most New Zealand towns you can sample delicious seafoods.

Maori continue to gather seafood from reefs and beaches and the coast for meals at home and for special gatherings (hui).

Image 26 - Collecting shellfish, Northland

He koha na Tangaroa.
A gift from Tan garoa.
(Tan garoa - god of the sea.)