Customary Māori Tool and Weapon Demonstration

"He toki iti, he rite he tangata.’ A toki may be small, but it is as precious as a person.”

Join Anaru Rondon, traditional Māori tool maker, as he demonstrates the art of customary tool making and weapons.

Specialising in toki (stone adzes) for practical use, Anaru then uses these to make other taoka from wood, bone, shell, and fibre. It’s a practical, hands-on approach to learning about, and connecting with, the past.

“Hold firm to these taoka, for they are priceless beyond measure. They are linked to your past, to your present, and to your future. They bring the three together, it is a continuation of life that is priceless. Therefore, be strong, stand tall, and be proud. Be stout-hearted, and forever keep these precious treasures of your ancestors alive and well. Give it heaps! He toki iti, he rite he tangata."

Paved area, outside Otago Museum.