Tuatua

tuatua Paphies subtriangulata, an edible bivalve of New Zealand beaches. It is related to the toheroa, but is smaller and has heavier shells of a more noticeably triangular shape. Its distribution is much wider than that of the toheroa, and it is particularly abundant on the eastern beaches of the North Island. Clam-diggers are allowed to gather up to 150 per person daily.

The tuatua, being more common, does not enjoy as high a reputation as the toheroa, but is of comparable merit and makes a good soup. See also pipi.