Story: Māori feasts and ceremonial eating – hākari

Kōrere – funnel

Kōrere – funnel

This beautifully carved kōrere was used as a funnel for liquid or puréed food. People who were highly tapu could not touch everyday items when eating or drinking. If they did, those items would have to be given to them or destroyed. Kōrere were mainly used to provide food and water to rangatira who had swollen mouths from tattooing. They were probably also used for tohunga under tapu.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: OL000135

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:

Basil Keane, 'Māori feasts and ceremonial eating – hākari - Food in Māori tradition', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/40545/korere-funnel (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 5 Sep 2013