Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

Wooden heru (3rd of 3)

Wooden heru

This 16-tooth heru (ornamental comb) is carved from a single piece of wood. The stylised beaked figure on top has inlaid pāua-shell eyes. It dates from the mid-18th century and was probably collected during one of James Cook's voyages to New Zealand in the late 1700s.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: WE000529

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:

Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, 'Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori - Adorning the head', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/41016/wooden-heru (accessed 27 April 2024)

Story by Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, published 5 Sep 2013