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Story: Mau rākau – Māori use of weaponry

Two-handed weapons: tewhatewha

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Two-handed weapons: tewhatewha

This unidentified chief, possibly from the Whanganui region, holds a tewhatewha, the two-handed weapon used for both fighting and signalling during battle. Below its distinctive axe-blade-type head is a bunch of feathers, for confusing an opponent in battle or to help the user signal to his followers.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Tesla Studios Collection (PAColl-3046)

Reference: 1/1-023308-G

by Frank J. Denton

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

Rangi Matamua, Mau rākau – Māori use of weaponry – Using traditional weapons, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/39758/two-handed-weapons-tewhatewha (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rangi Matamua, published 28 November 2012.