Image
The whakapakoko rākau or god stick had a pointed end so it could be stuck into the ground. It was used as a temporary shrine for an atua (deity) by tohunga ahurewa (priestly experts). Tohunga were often responsible for healing people, and sometimes used god sticks to concentrate the power of a particular deity.
Using this item
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: B.001173
by Augustus Hamilton
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.