Photo: Paua Shell Factory Carterton

An assortment of gifts are available from the store at the Paua Shell Factory in the town of Carterton on the North Island of New Zealand.

The Paua Shell Factory in Carterton in Wairarapa, New Zealand shows you a whole new meaning to the word shells. If you find a Paua Shell on the beach in New Zealand you might just think of it as an ordinary shell but it has a whole different look after some cleaning and polishing.When a Paua shell is fresh off the beach, it is covered with grey encrustations and the inside is an amazing array of greens, blues, purples and pinks. At the Paua Shell Factory in Carterton, New Zealand they have all the machines to clean the Paua shell but if doing it by hand it is a long drawn out process but well worth it in the end.The factory is an amazing place to visit as you will discover how the Paua shell is manufactured into some of the most exquisite jewelery, beads, badges, stickpins as well as a whole line of an assortment of gifts. An information video can be viewed to watch the journey of a Paua shell and the process that is used at the factory in Carterton. ... continue below the picture...

... The Paua Shell Factory in Carterton, New Zealand is enjoyable for the whole family, even the little ones love the colorful displays of shells. A picnic area and playground is located on the grounds of the factory for those who need a snack and a break before continuing your adventure of Paua World.Paua Shells at the Paua Shell Factory in Carterton, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand.