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Story: Tribal organisation

A Māori meeting

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A Māori meeting

In this 1853 painting, ‘A native council of war’, artist John Gilfillan attempts to depict a formal gathering of what could be several iwi (tribes). Those present listen attentively to the speakers, one of whom uses a taiaha (spear) to emphasise his words.

Using this item

Hocken Collections, University of Otago

by John Gilfillan

Permission of the Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page

Rāwiri Taonui, Tribal organisation – The significance of iwi and hapū, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/968/a-maori-meeting (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 4 March 2009.