Taiaha (long handled fighting staff)

The taiaha is a long handled weapon used for striking and parrying in close quarter combat. The taiaha consists of three parts; the upoko (head) which also includes the well carved arero (protruding tongue), the tinana (body), which forms the grip, and the rau or main striking blade. The highly prestigious taiaha kura is further distinguished by the addition of the decorative tauri (parrot feather collar) and awe (dog hair tassels) that dress/ adorn tinana.

This particular example is an unusual form distinguished by the elongated brow on the upoko (head). Also noticeable are unduluting ridges which can be seen along the length of the tinana and rau, which may have improved the grip, its aerodynamic qualities during quick, high speed combat striking manoeuvres, and the dispersion of energy from high impact parrying and blocking manoeuvres.