Mau rākau

Mau rākau

Focus	Weaponry
Country of origin	New Zealand
Creator	Various
Famous practitioners	Cliff Curtis
Olympic sport	No

Mau rākau, meaning "to bear a weapon", is a martial art based on traditional Māori weapons.

Weapons

Taiaha - 'fourth position'

Mau rākau is a general term referring to the skilled use of weapons. It is said that the use of weapons was taught in the Whare-tū-taua (House or school of war). The term Mau taiaha is used to refer to the use of the taiaha and does not necessarily include other weapons.

Regular schools are held on Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua to teach the use of the taiaha. ^[1]

Mythology

A man holding a tao

It is said weapons including the taiaha and patu were handed down by Tāne, god of the forest and Tū, god of war, the two sons of Rangi-nui and Papatuanuku. The Whare-tū-taua (House of war) is a term which covers the basics of educating young toa (warriors) in the arts of war.

Links

• New Zealand Qualifications Authority Mau Rākau assessment guides

References

1. ^ A bit of Hollywood in Rotorua tikanga programme