Kai Aotearoa seminar series – 27 September 2023

Seminar 4
“May I have seconds?” –  A Toheroa Tale

Jacs Forde

Toheroa, an endemic surf clam, was one of Aotearoa’s first marine exports. In 1921 its popularity exploded when the Prince of Wales broke royal protocol by asking for a second helping of toheroa soup, following which, every notable eatery in Aotearoa aspired to having toheroa soup on their menu. After decades of over harvesting, the mighty but sweet toheroa, has not recovered to its once abundant numbers despite a harvesting ban imposed in the 1970s. This talk will discuss the implications of overharvesting a Rangatira species for commercial purposes and the impact its decline and poor management has had on coastal Māori communities who have had and continue to have close relational ties to this cultural keystone species.

Jacinta ‘Jacs’ Forde is Lecturer in Anthropology at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. She is a Pacific anthropologist whose research focuses on the Pacific and Aotearoa. Jacs has looked at the change in culture and its impact on health in Tonga and her PhD research focuses on the relationship Māori have with the moana, specifically the management and significance of the endemic shellfish, toheroa.

Click here to view a recording of the seminar