Maori Warriors

The ferocity and savagery of Maori warriors were legendary. The Maori military formation was known as a hapu. A hapu typically had less than 100 warriors and infrequently had as many as a few hundred. Men made up the majority of the warriors, but women were also known to engage in combat. Several hapu frequently combined forces in conflict. The warriors were usually led by a chief.

picture of maori soldiers

Maori warriors typically launched their assaults in the early morning. They were masters of surprise attacks and ambushes. They were able to appear and vanish quickly and soundlessly in the dense, unpolluted New Zealand jungle. Their supplies included:

• Wahaika: A brief, flat club typically made of bone, wood, or greenstone.

• When fast, in-fighting action called for thrusting jabs, the otiate was used.

• The notches on the sides of Taiaha, the preferred weapon on the battlefield, are used to capture the opponents' weapons. The adversary could be disarmed with the proper flick and wrist twist.
  
• A long club, usually five feet or longer, is called a toki pou tangata.