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Kōrero: Washing, cleaning and personal hygiene

Pae hamuti – latrine handle

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Pae hamuti – latrine handle

In traditional Māori hilltop , paepae (latrines) were located on the side of the hill so human waste would fall well away from living and eating areas. Some were in very steep locations and had pae hamuti (latrine handles) for users to hold onto while defecating, to prevent them falling down the cliff.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: OL000170

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

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerryn Pollock, Washing, cleaning and personal hygiene – Toilets, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/object/40799/pae-hamuti-latrine-handle (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerryn Pollock, i tāngia i te 1 February 2013.