Matau. Fish hook. Shank for the fish hook is cut from light coloured 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. There are grooves cut into the shank at thinner end for lashing. There is one hole drilled at the hinge to attach taura tautai (fishing line) and the long end of the snood. The nio (hook point) is made of dark coloured parau cut and ground down. There is small piece of rakau (wood) in between the nio and the shank. Two holes are drilled through one side of the nio with twine lashed through to secure the nio to the base of the shank. There is a snood of twine looped through and secured at head of shank by twine lashing. A hackle of fabric strips is lashed to the base of the shank. Good condition. "8598" is handwritten in black ink on end of shank near taura tautai.