New Zealand Medallion Series - Paua Shell

New Zealand is a place that combines beautiful native forests with endless beaches, snow clad mountain ranges and unique geothermal activity, all of which can now be taken home. The Medallion Series features iconic Kiwi landmarks, attractions, plants and birds that make New Zealand the unique place it is. Containing a stunning coloured medallion, the series also features beautiful images along with interesting facts and information.

About the Design

Paua, known as Abalone in other countries, is a marine mollusk found only in New Zealand. They are normally found along the shoreline and are distinguished by their brilliantly coloured oval shells.

No other shell in the world has quite the same colour as Paua, which varies from greens and pinks, to purples and blues and even at times gold or crimson toning. These colours alter when viewed from different angles. Each Paua shell is unique in colour toning and pattern, making it truly one of nature’s marvels.

Paua live along the coastline of New Zealand, clinging onto rocks with a large muscular foot at a depth of 1-10 meters. They have a pair of eyes, tentacles and breathe through gills which are near their mouth under a row of pores in the shell. Up to 180mm in length, Paua feed upon seaweed and are most abundant in the cooler waters of the lower North Island and the South Island.

Traditionally used by Maori as eyes within their carving and artwork, the reddish colored shells were highly prized for depicting the flashing red eyes of the warrior. In more recent years the use of Paua in jewellery and sculpture has become a distinctive feature of New Zealand artwork.