Story: Traditional Māori games – ngā tākaro

Whai (string games)

School children demonstrate a range of whai (string games). The photo was taken around 1939.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Making New Zealand Centennial Collection (PAColl-3060)

Reference: MNZ-2424-1/2-F

by H. R. Vine

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, 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 – Stick games, string games, poi and haka, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/39350/whai-string-games (accessed 17 June 2026).

Story by Ross Calman, published 30 November 2012.