This weapon is called a hoeroa and is made from the lower jaw of a sperm whale. It was held by a rangatira and symbolised authority. This particular hoeroa was believed to have originally been a gift to Queen Victoria from a Māori chief. It was returned to New Zealand in the middle of the 20th century.
Using this item
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
OL000164
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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