Pa kahoa are a treasured item and are gifted from a father to their daughter on her wedding day symbolizing the passing of the ability to care for her and any future children to her husband, and equipping the new family with a means to feed and care for themselves. The shells used to make pa kahoa are difficult to acquire as they are found deep in the ocean, it requires a lot of time and effort to cut and polish the shell to attain their true colour. Made from pearl shell, this pa kahoa is long, rectangular shape with rounded edges and slight outward curve from the top to bottom. The top of the pa retains it's hinged protrusion through which a hole is drilled, a black string is threaded through. The entire pa is smooth, polished, and glossy showcasing the natural lustre of the shell.