Matau. Fish hook.Shank is cut from light coloured parau (mother of pearl shell) forming a long narrow strip which includes a part of the hinge (to form the thicker proximal end) as well as the area towards the lip of the parau (at the thinner end). Sides of the parau shank have been ground and polished. The nio (hook point) is carved from dark coloured parau, with two holes drilled into the base, and is placed in between two small pieces of rakau (wood), providing additional support for the nio. The nio and the rakau are secured using cotton thread, which is threaded through the holes in the nio, and lashed around the shank. The snood consists of a thick cotton cord, formed in to an iri (braid) taki rua (two-ply), which is tied around the base of the nio, running the length of the shank. The snood is further secured at the top of the shank with cotton thread which is threaded through a hole drilled at the top of the shank. The same hole is used to also attach the taura tautai (fishing line). The hackle consists of strips of plant fibre (possibly rauara - pandanus leaf) lashed to the base of the shank using cotton thread. "PRES. 1254 PENRYHN IS." is handwritten in black ink on the shank. A round light coloured sticker is also stuck onto the shank near the sticker with "F. J. OHLSON." is handwritten across the sticker in black ink. Good condition overall.