Matau (fish hook).

This finely worked matau (fish hook) is made out of a single piece of bone. It has a \ /-shaped opening at the top between two large kāniwha (barb-like projections). The kāniwha bevel downwards to a narrow gap that opens out into the U-shaped internal cavity of the hook. The kōreke (snood knob) at the top is carved to represent a head.

Kōreke
Kōreke functioned as a projection for attaching a short snood line, which in turn would be tied to the main fishing line. Kōreke were deliberately set at an angle so that the line attached to the hook in a forward facing manner. This helped the hook rotate when tension was applied to the line.

Function
It is thought that stoutly pointed hooks of this design worked by latching hold of the fish's lower jawbone rather than by piercing the side of the mouth behind it. The jawbone was guided through the narrow gap by the kāniwha, which then held it secure, aided by the rotation of the hook as the line was pulled taut.

Bait attachment
A small knob on the outer edge of the shank is also carved as a head and may have functioned as a projection on which to fasten the pākaikai (bait lashing line). It is thought that the bait may have been attached to the lower part of hooks like these, rather than to the point, because covering the point may have obstructed the all important gap between it and the shank needed to catch the fish.

History
Study of fish hook assemblages has identified a general trend of increasing ornamentation of one-piece hooks over time. The elaborate form of this hook, along with its good state of preservation, suggests it dates from early Te Huringa 1 (1800-1900) - the later period of Māori settlement in New Zealand:

Tradition
The Māori demigod Māui is credited with inventing the kāniwha 'barb', which, much to the resentment of his older brothers, enabled him to catch many more fish than they could. This ancient story reinforces the importance of this advance in fishing technology to the welfare of Māori.