Amazing shell display in J’ville

Amazing displays of sea shells were on view at the Collective Community Hub in Johnsonville on Saturday 1 March.

Shells of every colour and shape, and from all over the world, were assembled by the Wellington Shell Club to encourage responsible interest in shells (Mollusca), their beauty and their science.

The event was free to the public and included shell sales and free shell gifts to children.

Displays included a pattern range of tiny Morning Star (Tawera spissa) shells washed up on just one day at Eastbourne, the worldwide relatives of New Zealand’s famous paua (Haliotis iris), a photographic record of shells washed up on Bay of Plenty beaches after Cyclone Gabrielle, shells which also feature on postage stamps, striped shells and shells of nearly every bright colour you can think of.

Members of the Wellington Shell Club were present to chat to visitors about shells and Club activities.

One Club member who joined at the age of 5, Kerry Walton, was also on hand to discuss and help identify shells that various members of the public brought along.

Kerry has recently been appointed Curator of Invertebrates at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa).

The Club itself has been active since 1955, hosts monthly meetings and regular field trips, and has a longstanding association with Te Papa.

Wellington Shell Club can be contacted via its Facebook page and more information can be found on its website, www.wellingtonshellclub.org.