A tewhatewha is a long-handled Māori club weapon shaped like an axe. Designed to be held in two hands, the weapon comes to a mata (point) at one end and a rapa (broad, quarter-round head) at the other.[1]
The tewhatewha (pronounced tefa tefa) is a traditional Māori weapon used by the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand.[2] As one of the two-handed clubs of Maori (the others being the Hani and a Pouwhuenua), it can be easily identified by its long handle and flat, broad blade on one end. These two characteristics make it a unique and versatile tool used in both combat and ceremony.
Shaped like a long-handled axe, tewhatewhas were usually carved from hardwood but could be made from other materials such as whalebone and might include slit hawk or kereru feathers. Typically, one end is a broad, quarter-round head (rapa), the long shaft averages 45 inches in length, the weapon ends in a mata (point) at the end of the handle, and at the base of the mata and shaft is a hole from which a tuft of feathers (puhipuhi or paupuhi) suspends.[3] This design facilitated striking, parrying, and thrusting techniques for both mid-range engagements (using the rapa) and close-quarters combat (using the mata). There is often a band of carving above the mata with symbolic meanings. The feathers are prepared ceremonially and bound with flax.
Historically, the tewhatewha was a formidable weapon used by Māori warriors in warfare. The tewhatewha is held just above the carving at the sharp end, similar to an ax when fighting. Like pouwhenua and taiaha, this long club was designed for sparring and lightning strokes and thrusts, aided by quick footwork on the part of the wielder.[4] The blows were not struck with the blade as one would with an axe, but rather with the thicker straight front edge. Should an enemy begin attacking in close quarters, the pointed end could be used as a bayonet. Due to its length, it doubled as a signaling device from leaders to their warriors to convey directions and signal attacks. The plume of feathers dangling from the rapa distracted the enemy's gaze and could also be used to absorb blood. [5]
Beyond its battlefield utility, the tewhatewha holds significant cultural and ceremonial value in Māori society. Often adorned with feathers and intricate carvings, the tewhatewha symbolizes authority, leadership, and ancestral connections.[6] The complex scrolled pattern carved towards the handle's base represents the genealogy of the owner, embodying ancestral knowledge and spiritual lineage. Occasionally, ceremonial tewhatewha made of whalebone was used in this way.[7] The Maori believed that the spiritual force (mana) of the tewhatewha grew over its history of use; honored weapons were passed down from generation to generation, continuing to grow in mana.
Training in the use of the tewhatewha is a core aspect of mau rākau, the traditional Māori martial art. Mau rākau encompasses techniques and discipline related to various traditional weapons, including the tewhatewha. This training is essential for preserving Māori martial traditions and cultural heritage.[8]
The tewhatewha remains a vital symbol of Māori cultural identity and heritage today. It is utilized in cultural ceremonies, performances, and other traditional contexts, embodying the resilience of the Maori people.
A tewhatewha was the symbol of command of Royal New Zealand Navy hydrographic survey ship HMNZS Resolution.[9]
The drum major of the New Zealand Army Band uses a tewhatewha instead of a mace to give direction and keep time.