paua

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n. the Maori name for the Mutton-fish (q.v.). Also used as the name for Maori fishhooks,made of the paua shell; the same word being adoptedfor fish, shell, and hook.


1820. `Grammar and Vocabulary of Language of New Zealand'(Church Missionary Society), p. 191:

«Paua, s. a shell-fish so called.»

1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 416:

«Pawa ( Haliotis iris), or mutton-fish. This beautifulshell is found of considerable size; it is used for themanufacture of fish-hooks.»

1855. Ibid. p.397:

«The natives always tie a feather or two to their paua, orfish-hooks.»

1877. W. L. Buller, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,'vol. x. art. xix. p. 192:

«Elaborately carved, and illuminated with paua shell.»

1882. T. H. Potts, `Out in the Open,' p. 162:

«Immense piles of paua shells ( Haliotis iris), heapedup just above the shore, show how largely these substantialmolluscs were consumed.»