Martial art a newer twist for taiaha

FROM RIGHT: Eli Smith, Tukaha Milne and Jammille Ruka from the Ngati Hine Health Trust give a mau rakau demonstration at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. PHOTO/MIKAELA COLLINS

There was music from the Royal New Zealand Navy, kapa haka performances and a mau rakau demonstration by three men from the Ngati Hine Health Trust.

With taiaha in hand, Eli Smith, Tukaha Milne and Jammille Ruka showed off their skills in mau rakau - a martial art based on traditional Maori weapons - during Waitangi Day commemorations in the Bay of Islands.

Mr Smith, who has been doing mau rakau for 15 years, said it's an art form.

"It's a teaching vessel for people who are in ECE (early childhood education) right through to the older people. It's about knowledge, it teaches awareness and how to adapt to part of your environment.

"It's a warfare but now it's kind of used in a modern context so it's not about death," he said.

The men were performing every two hours in front of the Whare Runanga at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and Mr Smith said mau rakau was for everyone.

"It's every child's birthright - as long as you're keen to learn. It's moved from when women were never even allowed to touch a rakau to now, where women can fight."

Mr Smith said the group performs every Waitangi Eve but said it was even better to be able to do the demonstration as part of the 175th Waitangi day celebrations this year.

"It feels really special - especially on these grounds with all the historical context.

"For us to perform, we feel really fortunate."