Sealing, Timber and Flax

Sealing Initially very abundant but 1800 there were only substantial populations in Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island and the Chathams Decimated in the early 1800s as seals were hunted for food and blubber (which was converted to oil for fuel, tanning and lubrication)

Timber The branchless Kauri trees were fantastic for ship masts Many houses in Sydney Kauri also produced a resin that was used in paints, varnishes and polishes McDonnell’s Shipyard

Flax or Harakeke For rope Used extensively by Maori prior to contact Early Pakeha traders employed Maori weavers in exchange for muskets Adjustments made to Maori economy Slave labour used during the musket wars NZ’s biggest export until wool