DSC_3550 Toheroa (Paphies ventricosa) from Oreti Beach top left of frame, compared with the shells of Northern tuatua (P. subtriangulata) from Pakiri Beach top right, Pipi (P. australis) from Petone Beach bottom left, and Southern tuatua (P. donacina) from Oreti Beach bottom right. All found in sand on open beaches *
DSC_3325 Toheroa (Paphies ventricosa) from Oreti Beach centre left of frame, compared with the shells of Northern tuatua (P. subtriangulata) from Pakiri Beach top centre, Southern tuatua (P. donacina) from Oreti Beach centre right, and Pipi (P. australis) from Petone Beach bottom right. All found in sand on open beaches.
DSC_5553 Toheroa (Paphies ventricosa) buried deeply, up to 30 cm, in fine clean sand on open surf beaches. Now generally infrequent to rare, though they are common at some localities. The blue shell colouring is from the iron content of the sand. Main beds are along the west coast of the North Island and the south coast of the South Island. Ripiro Beach, Dargaville
