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 inward-pointing kāniwha (barb-like projections). The kāniwha bevel downwards to a narrow gap that opens out into a U-shaped internal cavity. A notched kōreke (snood knob) is set at an angle at the top. A groove at the base of the shank may have been for attaching a pākaikai (bait lashing line). The 'point' of this hook is particularly blunt.

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.