Paua Steaks Rotorua

Paua is the Maori name for local abalone. Makereti writes in her book The Old-Time Maori:

Paua haliotis, generally called mutton fish, has a univalve shell. It is taken from the rocks by hand, and the inside is taken out and beaten to soften it before it is cooked on hot coals or in a ha[a]ngi.

Thus she describes the Maori method of mechanically tenderizing the abalone before cooking. Be sure to check if the abalone steaks that you purchase, usually trimmed, sl