Our Story
From a first dive together, to the world's rarest pearl
It started with a dive in California and a shared love of the sea. Today, Mike and Antonia Radon raise pāua pearls in land-based tanks fed by clean ocean water, on an island only reachable by boat or helicopter. Everything here, the jewellery, the farm tours, the island homes, flows from that original act of devotion.
Two ways to experience Arapawa
Wear a pearl. Or come find where it was born.
Pāua Pearl Jewellery
Each piece is set in sterling silver or gold, holding a pearl that took years to grow. No two are the same. Necklaces, rings, earrings, and bridal pieces, all made from our own farm harvest.
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Stay & Visit the Island
Take a guided farm tour, witness the full journey from sea to pearl, or stay in one of our three kiwi-bach properties. Reached by Beachcomber Cruises from Picton, or helicopter from Nelson.
Plan Your Visit →What makes pāua pearls rare
Rarer than diamonds. Rarer than any other pearl. And grown right here.
Pāua are endemic to New Zealand. Our farm is the only place in the world that grows pearls from them. Unlike ocean-farmed pearls, ours are raised in land-based tanks with seawater flowing through continuously, a process that takes years, and produces a pearl with an iridescence unlike anything else on earth.
Sustainably grown
Nothing goes to waste. Everything goes back.
We use every part of the pāua shell. Each year, thousands of juvenile pāua are raised and released back into the wild through our Pāua Reseeding Project, protecting the species that makes our work possible.
Learn More →Start your journey
Where would you like to begin?
Discover a piece of jewellery, or plan a visit to the island where it all starts.
From our island home to yours.
the rarest pearls in the world.
From our first dive together in California to establishing a rare pāua pearl farm in New Zealand, our story has always been tied to the sea.
Today, each pearl we create is a treasure of time, place, and craftsmanship, an heirloom born of New Zealand's pristine waters and our family’s devotion.
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More Than Just a Visit - A Connection
- From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed like family. The warmth of our home, the aroma of fresh baking, and the breathtaking views make you feel like you’ve stepped into something truly special.
- Witnessing the entire journey from sea to stunning pearl is an unforgettable experience that lingers long after you leave.
- Each pearl tells its own story, and our visitors often say they can’t depart without taking a piece of Arapaoa with them. Pearls are more than just jewelry; they are cherished memories and emotions you’ll carry forever.
- If you’d like to stay longer, we offer cozy guesthouses , and our couple rates are very popular.
Haliotis Collection
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Our Island Accommodation
Staying with us means more than a getaway, it’s an immersion into island life. Our three distinctive kiwi-bach style properties each hold their own story:
Eco-Friendly Blue Pearls
Our commitment to sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Nothing here goes to waste, we use every part of the pāua shell, and each year we raise and release thousands of baby pāua back into the wild to help replenish natural populations along New Zealand’s coast.
Our Pāua Reseeding Project, started in 2005, gives young pāua a safe place to grow before being released into the ocean once they’re strong enough to survive. It’s a hands-on way of giving back to the sea that sustains us, protecting biodiversity and ensuring that future generations can continue to experience this remarkable species.
Become Part of Our Story
Whether you choose to wear a rare blue pearl, stay in one of our island homes, or join us for a farm tour, you become part of the Arapawa Blue Pearls family.
From our island home to yours, thank you for helping us keep this story alive.