# Pouwhenua

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**Pouwhenua** or **pou whenua** (land posts) are carved wooden posts used by [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), the [indigenous peoples](/source/Indigenous_peoples) of New Zealand to mark territorial boundaries or places of significance. They are generally artistically and elaborately carved and can be found throughout New Zealand.[1]

## Cultural significance

Much like [totem poles](/source/Totem_pole), pou whenua tell a story. They are significant to the Māori people, representing their contributions to the cultural heritage of New Zealand. They acknowledge the association between the people ([tāngata](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tangata)) and the land ([whenua](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whenua)). Specifically, they reflect the relationship between the ancestors, environment, and the reputation or standing of the [tangata whenua](/source/Tangata_whenua).[1][2]

## Weapon

The name pouwhenua is also applied to a fighting club, belonging to the same class of weaponry as the [tewhatewha](/source/Tewhatewha) and [taiaha](/source/Taiaha). Pouwhenua are usually made of wood and have a large, broad blade known as *rau* at one end and a pointed, sharp tip at the other end. Usually a human head motif was carved on the shaft to form a boundary between the shaft and the long spear point.[3] Pouwhenua were used for attacking an opponent with short sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts with quick footwork on the part of the wielder.[3] A single blow with the broad blade could easily result in death.[4]

## See also

- [Pou whakarae](/source/Pou_whakarae)

Other Māori weapons:

- [Mere (weapon)](/source/Mere_(weapon))
- [Kotiate](/source/Kotiate)
- [Tewhatewha](/source/Tewhatewha)
- [Patu](/source/Patu)
- [Taiaha](/source/Taiaha)
- [Wahaika](/source/Wahaika)

## References

1. ["Pou Whenua"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110822130500/http://www.arc.govt.nz/heritage/historic-places-in-regional-parks/pou-whenua.cfm). Arc.govt.nz. Archived from [the original](http://www.arc.govt.nz/heritage/historic-places-in-regional-parks/pou-whenua.cfm) on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.

1. Johnstone, Liesl (2009). ["Marks of an ancestor"](https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/assets/Documents/TeKaraka44.pdf). *Te Karaka*. '***(44): 23–25. Ngāi Tahu Publications. Retrieved 3 July 2014.***

1. Hiroa, Te Rangi (1949). ["Long Clubs"](https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-BucTheC-t1-g1-t2-body1-d12-d5.html). *The Coming of the Maori*. Maori Purposes Fund Board. Retrieved 21 November 2010.

1. ["Pouwhenua (long handled pointed fighting staff)"](http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/objectdetails.aspx?oid=213399). *Collections Online*. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 21 November 2010.

## External links

- [Pouwhenua (pointed fighting staff)](http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/Term.aspx?irn=83) from the collection of the [Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa](/source/Museum_of_New_Zealand_Te_Papa_Tongarewa)
- [http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/10712](http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/10712)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pouwhenua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouwhenua) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouwhenua?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.