Matau (fish hook).

This matau (fish hook) is fashioned from a single piece of bone. It has a \ /-shaped opening at the top between two large kāniwha (barb-like projections). The kāniwha bevel down to a narrow gap that opens out into the U-shaped internal cavity of the hook. A kōreke (snood knob) at the top is notched along its upper edge and set at an angle to the main line of the shaft. A groove at the base of the hook may have assisted with tying on the bait.

Function
The stoutly pointed hook design is thought to have worked by latching hold of the fish's lower jawbone rather than by piercing through 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.

Tradition
The Māori demigod Māui is credited in tradition 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.