Taiaha kura (long fighting staff), 'Te Rongokarae'

item details

NameTaiaha kura (long fighting staff), 'Te Rongokarae'

ProductionUnknown; carver; Taupō

Classificationedged weapons, taiaha

Materialswood, feather, hair, dogskin, muka (fibre)

Materials Summarykaka feathers, kuri (dog skin), wood, muka fibre

Techniqueswoodcarving

DimensionsOverall: 54mm (width), 1740mm (length), 40mm (depth)

Registration NumberME001865

Credit linePurchased 1909

Overview

A taiaha is a hand weapon usually made from hard wood, or sometimes whale bone, and usually about 1.5 metres long. Taiaha have one end carved in the shape of an upoko (head) with a face on each side. The eyes of the two faces see all around, reflecting the alertness of the taiaha exponent. An arero (tongue) protruding from the upoko forms one end of the weapon. The upoko is adorned with a tauri (collar) of feathers and/or dog hair, the tassels of which form the awe. Below this, the tinana (body) provides the grip. The other end of the taiaha has a flat smooth blade, or rau, usually about five to seven centimetres wide, which is the main striking blade.

A lethal weapon
Te Rongokarae is the taiaha kura used by Te Poinga of Ngāti Tuwharetoa to kill Te Arakai of Ngāti Tamatera (Hauraki) at Te Kotukutuku, Rotoaira, in 1827. Two years earlier Te Arakai had led a large war party to attack Ngāti Tuwharetoa at Taupo.

Te Heuheu Tukino presented Te Rongokarae to Captain Gilbert Mair at Waihi, Taupo, in 1875.