Story: Mau rākau – Māori use of weaponry

One-handed weapons: wahaika parāoa (1st of 2)

One-handed weapons: wahaika parāoa

The wahaika parāoa is a whalebone club used in close-quarters combat. The concave point on one side of the blade and the notch on the other each have specific functions. This example has a human figure carved above the hand grip.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: ME003798

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

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Rangi Matamua, 'Mau rākau – Māori use of weaponry - Using traditional weapons', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/39767/one-handed-weapons-wahaika-paraoa (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Rangi Matamua, published 5 Sep 2013