Artifacts from Tuhua (Mayor Island)

Paper Nautilus Shell
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0716/06

This shell is made by a female knobbed argonaut octopus (Argonauta nodosa), to protect her eggs. It is produced from a thin horn like secretion from two tentacles. These shells can be found on Mayor Island.

Photographic Print, Mayor Island
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0191/08

Mrs Bell and her catch on Mayor Island in the 1930s. Several famous fishing expeditions took place in the waters around the Island and it was visited by American writer Zane Grey.

Fish Mount, Blue Marlin
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0033/12

This Blue Marlin was caught in the waters off Mayor Island in the 1940s. It was mounted and adorned a wall of the Oceanside Hotel for many years.