A taiaha is a traditional weapon of the Maori; a close-quarters staff weapon made from either wood or whalebone, and used for short, sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts with quick footwork on the part of the wielder.

Taiaha are usually between 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) in length. It has three main parts; the arero (tongue), used for stabbing the opponent and parrying; the upoko (head), the base from which the tongue protrudes; and the ate (liver) or tinana (body), the long flat blade which is also used for striking and parrying.

The Taiaha has four faces on the Upoko facing all directions.

I have made this taiaha from black Maire timber, a hard wood of Northland, NZ. A variety of feathers have been used to clothe Albatross, Pheasant and Coque.