Aotearoa (New Zealand), 1840

This figure represents a Maori Ariki (High Chief) around 1840.

New Zealand at this time was a place of tribal warfare and colonisation. European settlements were becoming well established and tensions between the Maori and the colonists were at times strained. On February 6 1840 Maoridom signed the Treaty of Waitangi with Queen Victoria which was to guarantee their way of life. Within five years New Zealand was thrust into the First New Zealand Land War when Hone Heke and the Ngapuhi rebelled against the Crown and its sovereignty, with the cutting down of the flagpole at Waitangi.

Maori society was tribal and hierarchal. Inter-tribal warfare was widespread and raiding parties would travel hundreds of miles in search of utu (revenge) and slaves. Utu was a powerful motivating force and would pass through generations and prolonged this warfare.

The weapons that this Maori carries are the Taiaha and Patu. The Taiaha was used as both a striking and thrusting weapon. The feathers were intended not as just decoration but also as a distraction to an enemy. In the right hands this weapon was deadly and capable of decapitating an enemy. With this kit the separately cast Taiaha head should be used to substitute the one sided attached one. I found out after the figure had been finished that these weapons were carved on both sides.

The Patu was used in a similar way to a European short sword. The aim was to strike a blow against the enemies temple with the notch on the side used to prise off, in a twisting motion, the top of a mans skull. As with the Taiaha the carved figures represent ancestors who impart their Mana into the object.

Around the waist is wrapped a dog-skin cloak which was made by stitching lengths of dog skin onto a flax cloak. Various colours could be used to form simple geometric patterns such as squares or triangles and diamonds. The best and most highly valued of cloaks were of a quality similar to the best grade cotton or linen. The belt is a trade item.

The feather cloak would be made from the feathers of the numerous native birds found in New Zealand. The edging on this cloak is sculpted to represent Kiwi feathers which have a fine wispy nature. Normally a medium golden brown in colour. The bulk of the figures can be painted in almost any other colour found within the plumage of Native birds of New Zealand. Dark green, brown, blue-blacks and white would be most suitable. Like on the dog skin cloak, the feathers could be formed into patterns of squares, diamonds or stripes. Feather cloaks became very popular as trade items at this time and were highly prized and an indication of status.

The comb in his hair would again be of bone, greenstone or hardwood. Often men of standing would display feathers in their hair as a badge of rank. After the arrival of colonists, turkey feathers became very popular for this practice.

Being a high ranking chief this man would be displaying a full facial Moko. The Moko was a form of tattooing where a groove was carved into the skin and a ink placed into this cut. It was a long and painful process which marked the wearer as someone of great Mana. The face was divided into areas which had specific meaning and could be ’read’ telling the viewer the wearers occupation, standing and family history. The patterns were very complex and specific, with both sides of the face being different - on the left is the fathers side and the mothers on the right. After the arrival of European clergy the practice became less widespread and eventually all but died out. It has recently seen a resurgence but completed with modern instruments.