Kakauroa (long handled fighting axe)

The toki kakauroa, and its variant short handled form the patiti, is a modern weapon developed during the early contact period from about the 1840's onwards. It blends the long handled capabiltiies of other traditional weapons such as the taiaha, pouwhenua, and tewhatewha, with the introduced technology of the metal axe head. The result is the rather sinister looking toki kakauroa. This particular weapon belonged to the Ngāti Tautahi, a hapū (sub-tribe) of the populous northern Ngā Puhi. It is said to have been used in warefare during inter-tribal battles at Whangārei.