With hand carved Rākau Māori (Māori weaponry) being passed down through generations, the history of pounamu weaponry is storied. Instead of guns or spears, Māori predominantly used hand-to-hand combat, utilising stone, bone and pounamu weapons to take into battle. 

One of the most revered weapons was the Mere Pounamu, a type of short, broad-bladed weapon in the shape of an enlarged tear drop. This beautiful yet dangerous weapon was used to strike or jab opponents. Using the traditionally rich, green pounamu that Aotearoa New Zealand is famous for, Mere Pounamu signified high status, providing warriors courage and strength when they entered battle – as well as a fierce weapon. The Mere Pounamu was kept safe with a hole drilled through the handle, enabling the wearer to attach a cord and keep their Mere attached to their wrist. Although pounamu is traditionally found in Te Waipounamu (the South Island), the stone was highly treasured by all iwi and extensively traded throughout Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island). 

Due to their treasured status, Mere Pounamu were passed down through generations, celebrating the feats and strength of the great warriors that once wielded them. This not only meant passing down an heirloom item and valuable weapon, but also kept Māori ancestors alive, through stories and waiata (songs). Many Mere Pounamu were named, and Māori believed that the weapons themselves developed characteristics and their own mana (spiritual power). Today, a range of these taonga (treasures) can be seen at Te Papa thanks to the generosity of local iwi – or you can buy one yourself at Moko Pounamu. 

Here at Moko Pounamu, our carvers have created a series of special Mere – including a unique and rare piece made from Whale Bone that has been ethically sourced from the Chatham Islands.

With a range of Mere Pounamu varying in size and cost, our hand carved patu (weapons) make for extraordinary sculptures for your whare (home) – or can even be worn if you’d prefer a miniature Mere! Providing owners with courage, strength, and a unique heirloom, you can view our full range of Mere Pounamu here. 

One of our talented carvers has also crafted a unique Kawakawa stone knife, a beautiful sculpture that can also be used as a one-of-a-kind letter opener.   

Unique, storied and full of mana, our pounamu weapons are one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces designed to be passed down through generations, keeping te ao Māori (the Māori world) alive.