Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

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Paul M
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Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Paul M »

A fellow contacted me looking for info on this aluminum cradle reel. He thinks it was made in Tauranga New Zealand at least as early as 1930.
He thinks the maker or reel name sounds like “Tanekaka”. I only have the one picture but asked for more.

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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Jay White »

HiPaul. I do not know the maker of this reel. However, I would be interested in buying it. If he has an interest in selling, please give him my email address. THANKS! Jay
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by KIWI »

Paul, my wife Carol is the KIWI in the family. She says that Tauranga is on the Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the north Island ie Pacific side. She grew up farther north. Tanekaka is Maori for something, I've given her a mission. Let you know what we find out. Doug
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by big hoss »

Tane - usually means man but Kaka has many, many meanings. This might give a clue. http://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?&keywords=kaka. I have never heard of the reel before but someone at one of the game fishing clubs may be able to help. Jeremy Wells is another possibility but contacting him at this time would not be welcomed by him.
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by reeltackle »

I have done a little research on that reel and have only found out that it was made in New Zealand and was called a Mowlem Reel and ..... that's all I've got to date.

Here are a couple of photos of a similar, if not the same reel.



Last edited by reeltackle on Wed Aug 08, 2018 5:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Paul M »

You guys are amazing. The fellow that originally contacted me hasn’t responded but I’m sure he would be impressed.
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Brian F. »

Aloha
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Paul M »

Thanks guys for all of the research efforts. Here is an edge view of the reel that I just received from the owner's son.
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by reeltackle »

Found some more photos of a different Mowlem reel ... the well is deep.







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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Deepfins791 »

And then there was this one!

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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by reeltackle »

`
The Mowlem Reel, I have not forgotten you!

The information below is from the book "Tuhua" Mayor Islands by G.K. Prebble - and now for the rest of the story.................







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Mowlem reel and tanekaha timber rod

Post by Nigel M »

The Mowlem Rod and Reel - reeltackles extracts from the book Tuhua (Mayor Island) are correct and cover off much of what I know about a distant relation John Mowlem's life and reels.
I understand John, upon his return from Africa, designed the reels in the 1930's and as he recognised the short comings of the knuckle duster type game reels of that era, and set about designing and building one that was more user friendly. These were used by many of the Mayor Island charter fleet 19 nm off Tauranga, NZ. The reels had a one to one ratio with the winding handle turning in one direction only, so it cannot fly back and whack the angler on the knuckles. The rods were made of Tanekaha, a straight grained, white, dense conifer of considerable strength. Rumour has it that after the saplings were selected, many skippers would leave them in a running stream for six months then take them home and drill a hole in one end and pour linseed oil in, and hang up vertical in a dark place for another six months. Tahekaha rods could also be purchased from sporting stores.
My father restored the rod and reel in the Carol Walling photo below.
I have attached photo of the rod and reel and an article from 0ct 2003
Last edited by Nigel M on Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Nigel M »

Photo upload x 3
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Brian F. »

Nigel, posting photos is a little tricky but we have a tutorial at the top of the page under Announcements to help.
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Nigel M »

A 2003 article on John Mowlem which I previously quoted.



The Mowlem Reel and Tanekaha Rod my late father restored.



The reel is stamped A Walling.,



Mowlem Reel advert and the 1955 photo with Carol Walling, the same rod and reel and her catch.



John Mowlem fishing with a different reel.



Recent image of Tauranga, New Zealand. John lived by the bridge (centre, bottom) and Mayor Island is faint (upper, right) 19nm offshore. Tuhua or Mayor Island is a collapsed volcano on the edge of the continental shelf.
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Richard Lodge »

Wow! Nigel, this is great information and very educational for reel collectors who aren't familiar with this reel and its history. I would really like to have an article on this for The Reel News in 2024. Maybe we can work together on that? Thanks!
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Nigel M »

Thanks Richard. Happy to work together. I will gather as much info on the reel as I can. I will be in Tauranga in January so will visit the Tauranga Sport Fishing Club and Mt Maunganui Sport Fishing Club (on the other side of the harbour) and see what additional info I can uncover.

I have attached an image of the Mowlem Rod and Reel, Mako shark fishing. Definitely fish on!!!

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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Paul Roberts »

Very cool thread. 8)
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by Dr. Rob »

Paul Roberts wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:52 am Very cool thread. 8)

RIGHT??!!

This a GREAT thread!
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Re: Tanekaka? reel Tauranga NZ

Post by reeltackle »

Thanks for adding to the thread Nigel, its great to find out more about this unique Kiwi reel and its maker.
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