Pōhā

Pōhā are traditional bags used by the Māori people of New Zealand made from southern bull kelp, which are used to carry and store food and fresh water, to propagate live shellfish, and to make clothing and equipment for sports.

[1][2] Pōhā are especially associated with Ngāi Tahu, who have legally recognised rights for harvesting source species of kelp.

[1] Blades from southern bull kelp (rimurapa in Māori)[1][2][3] species such as Durvillaea antarctica and D. poha (named after the pōhā)[4][5] were used to construct the bags.

[1] The kelp blades have a 'honeycomb' structure,[6][7] which allows them to be split open, hollowed out (pōhā hau) and inflated into containers.

[8] Pōhā are used to transport food, fresh water, to enclose food within an oven, and to transport and propagate live seafood such as shellfish (including toheroa),[4] sea stars and pāua in a process referred to as whakawhiti kaimoana.