Tewhatewha

thumb|A tewhatewha at the British Museum. A tewhatewha is a long-handled Māori club weapon shaped like an axe. Designed to be held in two hands, the weapon comes to a mata (point) at one end and a rapa (broad, quarter-round head) at the other.

The tewhatewha (pronounced tefa tefa) is a traditional Māori weapon used by the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand. As one of the two-handed clubs of Maori (the others being the Hani and a Pouwhuenua), it can be easily identified by its long handle and flat, broad blade on one end. These two characteristics make it a unique and versatile tool used in both combat and ceremony. ==Design== Shaped like a long-handled axe, tewhatewhas were usually carved from hardwood but could be made from other materials such as whalebone and might include slit hawk or kererū feathers. Typically, one end is a broad, quarter-round head (rapa), the long shaft averages 45 inches in length, the weapon ends in a mata (point) at the end of the handle, and at the base of the mata and shaft is a hole from which a tuft of feathers (puhipuhi or paupuhi) suspends. This design facilitated striking, parrying, and thrusting techniques for both mid-range engagements (using the rapa) and close-quarters combat (using the mata). There is often a band of carving above the mata with symbolic meanings. The feathers are prepared ceremonially and bound with flax.