Matau (fishhook)

This is a large barbless wooden fishhook, possibly a type of hook known as a matau lulu from Tokelau. The shank is curved into a ring shape and has a heavily lashed snood wrapping made from coconut fibre cord (sennit).

Significance

This fishhook is significant for its association with Frank Corner, a New Zealand diplomat who worked in London as Deputy High Commissioner between 1952 and 1958 and later in the Pacific Islands.In 1961,Corner became New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations.He chaired the Trusteeship Council for two years, and served on the United Nations Security Council.Corner was the leading proponent of decolonisation of Pacific territories under New Zealand control, and provided the leading intellectual arguments in favour of decolonisation of Tokelau, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Western Samoa.

Acquisition history

This fishhook is part of a collection donated to Te Papa by Victoria Corner in 2018.