01 · The family
The people behind every pearl
Mike and Antonia met diving off the Californian coast. They bought a farm at Whekenui Bay in 1993 and started farming pāua in 2001 with four tanks. Today their children work the farm alongside them.
02 · The pearl
Eight years to grow a single pearl
Our pāua live in land-based tanks on Arapaoa Island, with seawater flowing through from the Sounds. Each pearl takes eight years from the tank to the grading table.
Years 1–4
The pāua grows
Raised in our tanks and fed on seaweed Jacob collects and cuts by hand.
Years 5–8
The pearl forms
A nucleus is placed inside the shell, and the pāua layers nacre over it for another four years.
Harvest
Graded on the farm
Each pearl is graded for lustre, surface and colour. No treatments, no dyes.
01 · Day one
Meet the pāua
New Zealand's native abalone, raised from spawn in our island hatchery.
02 · Years 1–8
Eight years of growing
Four years to grow the pāua, then four more after the nucleus goes in.
03 · Year 8
The harvest
Each pearl is carefully lifted from its shell.
04 · By hand
Finishing the pearl
The nucleus is removed and each pearl is finished by hand.
05 · Graded
Our grading
Every pearl is graded for lustre, colour and clarity before it's set.
Signature Pieces
The designs we keep coming back to, each set with a pāua pearl from our farm.
Stay & Visit
See where your pearl was grown
Stay on the island
Beach House, Gunyah and School House, on 700 acres reached by water taxi, helicopter or private boat.
View the houses
Visit the farm
A 90-minute guided walk through the tanks, a live pearl grading, then the farm collection.
Book a farm tourSince 1993
on Arapaoa island
NZ's only
Land-based pāua farm
8 years
to grow each pearl
100%
family-owned
Don't just take our word for it
What our customers say
Jewellery, stays, and pearl tours, here's what people love about Arapawa.
5.0 out of 5 · 39 reviews
Absolutely stunning
"The pearl earrings are unlike anything I've seen, that blue iridescence is extraordinary. Came beautifully packaged with a certificate of origin."
✓ Verified purchase
Highlight of our trip
"The pearl farm tour was the highlight of our Marlborough Sounds visit. The family are so passionate, you leave understanding something rare and special."
✓ Verified purchase
Pure paradise
"Little Colonsay is absolutely magical. We fished off the jetty, saw dolphins, and woke up to complete silence. Already planning our return trip."
✓ Verified purchase
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