Matau. Fish hook. Shank for the fish hook is cut from parau (mother of pearl shell) in a long narrow strip so as to include a part of the hinge (to form the thicker proximal end) as well as the area towards the lip of the shell (at thinner end). Sides of the parau shank have been ground down and polished to achieve desired colour and size. Grooves cut into the shank at thinner end for lashing. Two holes drilled at the hinge to attach the fishing line and the long end of the snood. The nio (hook’s point) is of dark parau that is cut and ground down. Two holes are drilled at the base of the nio through which twine is lashed through to secure the nio to the base of the shank. Snood of twine runs the length of the shank and is looped through a drilled hole at the base of the nio. Secured at head of the shank by lashing. Strip of cloth lashed to the base of the shank as a hackle. Good condition. "? N. COOK IS 18713.4 pres." is handwritten in black ink on the shank.