Maori Taiaha Greenstone Tongue on Stand (2 sizes) Maori Taiaha Greenstone Tongue on Stand (2 sizes)
This replica Maori Taiaha weapon with Greenstone Tongue sits proudly on its stand, and is equally proudly made in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Maori Taiaha (pronounced Tie-uh-ha) is a pre-European hand-to-hand combat weapon. Warfare between tribes was commonplace, and several different weapons were used before the Europeans arrived with their muskets.
Despite looking like a spear, the Taiaha is more accurately described as a pointed staff. The pointed end is a carved head, with paua shell eyes and an extended, defiant tongue. The tongue on this taiaha is carved from New Zealand Greenstone (pounamu), making it an even more striking piece.
Just like the traditional Taiaha, this authentic replica Taiaha is carved the same on both sides. Feathers decorate the shaft just below the head ( dogs hair was also used).
The middle section of the Taiaha, the shaft, is usually slightly oval, as in this example. The lower section is flattened, and it is this portion that was used as a striking blade.
The Taiaha is a two-handed weapon, usually made from native hardwoods. The pointed end would sometimes be used to poke at the opponent, then when the moment was right, the Taiaha would be reversed and the blade used to crack the opponent's skull. It was held in both hands and used both to strike and to parry blows. Maori were highly skilled with their weapons and in their tactics, with each tribe teaching their boys warfare skills from a young age.
This replica Taiaha is shorter than the traditional weapon. Taiaha were on average about 60" (152cm) long. This one is available in two sizes:
Medium - 38cm (15") on a 37.5cm (14 1/2") stand
Large - 70.7cm (27 3/4") on a 75.5cm (29 3/4") stand
The taiaha on a stand makes a great addition to a Maori or weapons collection, or a memento of a holiday in New Zealand. Would look great on a desk, table or mantlepiece, and it also makes a great trophy or 21st gift.
If you would like an engraved plate on the stand, we can do that (up to 5 words). Please enter the words in the text box above. Engraved items cannot be returned, except in the unlikely event that we get the engraving wrong.
Proudly made in New Zealand.
Shipped worldwide.
Covid continues to impact our shipping times, so this is a guide only. We do not accept any responsibility for how long shippers take to deliver, as it is beyond our control. These are approximate timelines for how long parcels take to get to their destinations currently.
| Country | Airmail | Tracked Airmail | Economy Courier | Express Courier |
| Australia - ACT, VIC, QLD, NSW | up to 5 weeks | 3-4 weeks | 2 weeks | 7 days (faster to major metro areas) |
| Australia - SA, WA, NT, TAS | 5-6 weeks | 4-5 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| USA and UK | 4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 10 days |
7 days |
| Europe and Asia | 6-7 weeks | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| South America | Minimum 3 months | Minimum 3 months | 4-5 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Rest of World | Variable | Variable | 3-5 weeks |
2 weeks |
| New Zealand | up to a week (only used for items sent in an envelope - iron on patches and cords without toggles) | Courier: North Island overnight, South Island 1-2 days Rural: add a day |
|
Shipping Types
International
Airmail
Standard Airmail shipping around the world. Not insured or tracked. If an airmail parcel goes missing we will do our best to work with shippers to find it, but shipping this way is at your own risk. The likelihood of an airmail parcel going missing is very low.
Tracked Airmail
Airmail shipping around the world, with the added bonus of basic tracking (shipped, arrival in destination country, delivery). Not insured. Shipping this way is at your own risk - there is no compensation if the parcel goes missing. However the likelihood of a tracked parcel going missing is very low.
Economy Courier
Priority shipping around the world, delivered by your local postal authority. Can ship to a PO Box. Insured and comprehensive tracking.
Express Courier
The fastest courier option, using couriers including DHL, Fedex and TNT. Insured and comprehensive tracking. Cannot be used to deliver to PO Boxes, and must be signed for.
New Zealand
Courier within New Zealand
We use both Courierpost and NZ Couriers.
Airmail - only used for items sold with shipping included, mostly plain cords and iron on patches. Shipped using NZ Post.
Pick Up From Store
Only available for those who can pick up from Whangarei within 24-48 hours after the order has been prepared. We will contact you when your order is ready to be picked up. Pick up hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the address is 12 Pahau Ave, Tikipunga, Whangarei. Come down right hand side of building to first door.
Order Processing Times
Allow 1 business day for an order to be processed, and 1 business day for packing. If an item has temporarily gone out of stock, re-stocking most often takes 2 days but can be up to 2 weeks. We will contact you regarding any major delays.
We ship from Whangarei, New Zealand. When you place your order online, an email confirmation is sent to you. If you cannot see it in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folders, in case your email provider has inadvertently put it there. Please check your confirmation email carefully to make sure you have correctly entered your address and that of the recipient (if you are sending elsewhere). We do not accept any responsibility for errors in the address. If a parcel is returned, we will re-ship if you pay the shipping charge again, or refund you for the goods (only).
You will receive a notification when we ship, which in most cases will include tracking information.
Taxes
Your international order (anything shipped outside New Zealand) may be subject to import duties and taxes, including VAT, which are incurred once your shipment reaches your destination country. ShopNZ is not responsible for these charges if they are applied, and are your responsibility as the customer.
For the UK and Europe, we are gradually being forced to collect VAT on small shipments before shipping, which will means nothing needs to be paid at your end. Your order will show if we have collected VAT on your behalf.
Covid continues to impact our shipping times, so this is a guide only. We do not accept any responsibility for how long shippers take to deliver, as it is beyond our control. These are approximate timelines for how long parcels take to get to their destinations currently.
| Country | Airmail | Tracked Airmail | Economy Courier | Express Courier |
| Australia - ACT, VIC, QLD, NSW | up to 5 weeks | 3-4 weeks | 2 weeks | 7 days (faster to major metro areas) |
| Australia - SA, WA, NT, TAS | 5-6 weeks | 4-5 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| USA and UK | 4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 10 days |
7 days |
| Europe and Asia | 6-7 weeks | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| South America | Minimum 3 months | Minimum 3 months | 4-5 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Rest of World | Variable | Variable | 3-5 weeks |
2 weeks |
| New Zealand | up to a week (only used for items sent in an envelope - iron on patches and cords without toggles) | Courier: North Island overnight, South Island 1-2 days Rural: add a day |
|
Shipping Types
International
Airmail
Standard Airmail shipping around the world. Not insured or tracked. If an airmail parcel goes missing we will do our best to work with shippers to find it, but shipping this way is at your own risk. The likelihood of an airmail parcel going missing is very low.
Tracked Airmail
Airmail shipping around the world, with the added bonus of basic tracking (shipped, arrival in destination country, delivery). Not insured. Shipping this way is at your own risk - there is no compensation if the parcel goes missing. However the likelihood of a tracked parcel going missing is very low.
Economy Courier
Priority shipping around the world, delivered by your local postal authority. Can ship to a PO Box. Insured and comprehensive tracking.
Express Courier
The fastest courier option, using couriers including DHL, Fedex and TNT. Insured and comprehensive tracking. Cannot be used to deliver to PO Boxes, and must be signed for.
New Zealand
Courier within New Zealand
We use both Courierpost and NZ Couriers.
Airmail - only used for items sold with shipping included, mostly plain cords and iron on patches. Shipped using NZ Post.
Pick Up From Store
Only available for those who can pick up from Whangarei within 24-48 hours after the order has been prepared. We will contact you when your order is ready to be picked up. Pick up hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the address is 12 Pahau Ave, Tikipunga, Whangarei. Come down right hand side of building to first door.
Order Processing Times
Allow 1 business day for an order to be processed, and 1 business day for packing. If an item has temporarily gone out of stock, re-stocking most often takes 2 days but can be up to 2 weeks. We will contact you regarding any major delays.
We ship from Whangarei, New Zealand. When you place your order online, an email confirmation is sent to you. If you cannot see it in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folders, in case your email provider has inadvertently put it there. Please check your confirmation email carefully to make sure you have correctly entered your address and that of the recipient (if you are sending elsewhere). We do not accept any responsibility for errors in the address. If a parcel is returned, we will re-ship if you pay the shipping charge again, or refund you for the goods (only).
You will receive a notification when we ship, which in most cases will include tracking information.
Taxes
Your international order (anything shipped outside New Zealand) may be subject to import duties and taxes, including VAT, which are incurred once your shipment reaches your destination country. ShopNZ is not responsible for these charges if they are applied, and are your responsibility as the customer.
For the UK and Europe, we are gradually being forced to collect VAT on small shipments before shipping, which will means nothing needs to be paid at your end. Your order will show if we have collected VAT on your behalf.
