Story: Traditional Māori games – ngā tākaro

Pōtaka tā (whip tops)

These pōtaka tā (whip tops) are alongside a whip made of harakeke (flax) fibre. One is a double-pointed whip top.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: MA_B.001661

by Augustus Hamilton

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Ross Calman, Traditional Māori games – ngā tākaro – Flying kites, spinning tops and other games, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/39359/potaka-ta-whip-tops (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Ross Calman, published 30 November 2012.