Maihea, Sinker, Volcanic rock
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Te Hikoi Museum
A grey flecked, finished maihea (sinker) made from a waterworn volcanic rock (possibly andesite) cobble. It is cracked and has grooved pecking around the major axis, where a harakeke lashing would have been secured. Stone tool specialist, the late Russell Beck, identified the source of stone for this maihea as being local; he noted that cobbles of this type are commonly found on the beaches between Orepuki and Riverton-Aparima and are glacial in origin. Maihea were attached to fishing lines to sink baits and lures into deeper water. Several may have been secured along the lower edge of a fishing net. They were made by forming a shallow groove around a stone, sometimes around just the major or minor axis or around both, and winding a line around it. Large stones were occasionally used as anchor stones, and pumice as floats for fishing nets.
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Details
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Title
Maihea, Sinker, Volcanic rock
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Maker
Unknown Kaimahi maihea (sinker maker)
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Date made
1250-1900
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Subject
Māori, Taoka/Taonga, Tools
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Additional information
inorganic, stone, volcanic rock (possibly andesite), l 109 mm x w 79 mm x d mm 813 g
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Rights
All rights reserved
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Location
170-172 Palmerston Street, Riverton, Southland
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Website
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Te Hikoi Museum
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Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ
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