Matau (Fish hook)

Matau. Fish hook with shank carved from whale bone with dark parau (mother of pearl shell) lashed to the back and possible onu (turtle shell) nio (point). There is a ole drilled at the top of the shank where the cotton taura tautai (fishing line) is strung through. The nio onu is barbed and lashed with twine to the shank through two holes which are drilled into its base. Snood of thick fibre cord looped through at hook point then fastened and connected up to drilled hole at shank's head. Hackle of plant fibre (possibly kiriau - hibiscus fibre) is attached to base of shank. Twine taura tautai (fishing line) is iri (braid) taki toru (three-ply).