Paua Shell (Pronounced Pah Wah). Paua is a univalve shellfish found only in New Zealand coastal waters. It is unique for its wonderful lustre of iridescent blues, pinks and greens. The shell grows to 200mm (8”) long, and can live over 40 years. Its flesh is edible and greatly valued by the Maori people of New Zealand who use shell as inlays in the eyes of their carvings. Skin divers harvest the shell which has a heavy encrustation of marine growth and lime deposits. This outer crust is removed to expose the shell’s full beauty in colour and lustre. The finest shells are found off the rugged, gale swept coasts of Fiordland and Stewart Island in the far south of New Zealand.