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Story: Hōkakatanga – Māori sexualities

Papa hou depicting sexual poses

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Papa hou depicting sexual poses

This papa hou (carved box), held in the British Museum, is adorned with an array of male and female figures linked in sexual poses.

Using this item

British Museum

Reference: Oc1964,05.1a and b

Permission of the British Museum must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Clive Aspin, Hōkakatanga – Māori sexualities – Sexuality in Māori tradition, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/31692/papa-hou-depicting-sexual-poses (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Clive Aspin, published 28 April 2011, updated 22 January 2019.