Far across the oceans, isolated from the rest of the world, Oceania developed its own unique ecosystem—one where evolution took a completely different path. In this distant corner of the world, the indigenous Maori people also created weapons unlike those found anywhere else. Their tools of war were both primitive and incredibly deadly. These weapons serve as a window into the past, revealing how early humans may have fought in a world untouched by outside influence.
One of the Maori’s most iconic weapons is the patu, a short, heavy club designed for close combat. Although “patu” can refer to several similar weapons, the term is often associated with the beautifully crafted versions made from New Zealand greenstone (also called pounamu). These were sometimes referred to as “jade axes,” though the name is more poetic than literal. Aside from greenstone, patu were also made from wood, whalebone, and basalt. Despite their simple design, they were brutally effective. In battle, Maori warriors used the patu to crush their enemies’ skulls with terrifying force—stories tell of heads smashed open as easily as ripe fruit.
But the patu wasn’t just a weapon. In times of peace, it could also serve as a tool for chopping trees, building canoes, or even as a paddle. As a result, it carried deep symbolic meaning and was often a mark of status and identity, especially when made from greenstone.
The term “patu” itself means “to strike” or “to subdue” in the Maori language. Most patu had a wide, flat blade-like shape, with sharpened edges on either side. The handle was often thinner and included a rounded base, sometimes with a hole for a wrist strap made of flax or leather. This allowed warriors to secure it to their wrist during combat.
Patu came in many shapes and sizes, usually between 25 and 50 centimeters in length (10–20 inches), with an average width of 7 to 12 centimeters (3–5 inches). While they varied in design, all patu were built for up-close combat, especially when other weapons like spears or polearms were lost or unusable.
The Maori made patu from a variety of materials, each with its own name. For example:
Patu Tawaka – made from hardwood
Patu Paraoa – made from whale bone
Patu Onewa – made from stone
Patu Pounamu, also known as mere – made from greenstone and considered the most prestigious of all
These jade weapons were highly prized and often carried by chieftains and warriors of great importance. You can even see mere in many historical portraits of Maori leaders.
The Maori didn’t stop with the patu. They also developed similar wooden weapons, such as the wahaika, which featured one flat side and a hook-like indentation, and the kotiate, shaped like a violin with inward curves on both sides. These too were used for striking at close range.
For longer reach, Maori warriors used a weapon called the tewhatewha. This long-handled tool looked like a cross between a paddle and an axe. It was used in both fighting and leadership. Chiefs often decorated the broad blade with feathers or shark teeth, transforming it into a symbol of authority—something like a scepter or battle standard used to signal commands.
Another interesting weapon was the Toki Whawhao Pu, or adze. While it resembled a small hoe or carving tool, the jade versions were highly respected and sometimes carried as ceremonial staffs by tribal leaders. The tool itself is common across many cultures, but the Maori version held special meaning thanks to its fine craftsmanship and spiritual significance.
Then there’s the taiaha, a short spear-like weapon used in both warfare and traditional war dances. It had many forms and was often made from hardwood or bone. Warriors would carry taiaha during ritual performances, demonstrating their skill and readiness to fight.
To many modern eyes, Maori weapons might seem primitive. But in reality, they reflect a sophisticated understanding of material properties and tactical needs. These tools served multiple purposes—they were weapons, tools, and symbols of rank. Most importantly, they embodied the ingenuity and strength of a warrior culture that developed far from the rest of the world.
Whether it was the jade patu, the fierce tewhatewha, or the elegant taiaha, each weapon tells a story—not just of battle, but of a people deeply connected to their land, their ancestors, and their way of life.
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