Weapons used by the New Zealanders called Patoo Patoos

The three voyages of British explorer James Cook, between 1768 and 1779, were Europe’s first sustained encounter with the South Pacific.

This illustration was published alongside accounts of Cook’s travels. The artist has grouped various Māori artefacts used in close combat – including the wahaika (striking weapon) to the right – with little concern for their actual size or orientation. Instead, he has catered to his audience’s curiosity.

Cook’s artists were tasked with giving ‘a more perfect idea thereof than could be formed by written descriptions only’ – part of the wider pursuit of scientific knowledge. In total, they created nearly 3,000 drawings of places, people, and things never before seen by Europeans.