Skip to main content

Story: Whakapapa – genealogy

Rākau whakapapa

Image
Rākau whakapapa

This rākau whakapapa (orator’s mnemonic staff) probably dates from around 1800. A staff like this is held by an orator as he moves his hand along the notches and recites whakapapa. Each new notch represents a new generation.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: ME002350

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

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Rāwiri Taonui, Whakapapa – genealogy – Recalling whakapapa, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/30918/rakau-whakapapa (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 3 May 2011, updated 1 July 2015.