Skip to main content

Story: Te tāhere manu – bird catching

Whakapakoko

Image
Whakapakoko

This whakapakoko (carved figure) was used to warn people against trespassing on lands where they might breach rāhui – a ban against entering a place, or taking certain things, such as birds from a forest. Posts, clothing or a lock of hair were also used to let people know of a rāhui.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Te tāhere manu – bird catching – Spiritual aspects, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/12000/whakapakoko (accessed 23 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 2 March 2009.