Taiaha

Taiaha is a traditional weapon of the Māori of New Zealand. It is a close-quarters staff weapon made from wood or bone 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.