Walking Stick

A tokotoko (walking stick) is made of one piece of wood. The upper half of the tokotoko has carved surface decoration in pākati patterns (dog tooth pattern between parallel grooves). On the back of the walking stick is rauponga (rows of dog tooth notches between parallel grooves and ridges) surface decoration. On one side of the tokotoko near the top, there is a naturalistic figure with moko (tattoo) present on the body and the face. The tongue is extended, and both hands are held along the middle of the figure. A second naturalistic figure is carved in the middle of the walking stick. The figure has no surface carving and has two hands placed along the centre of the body. The bottom half of the walking stick is undecorated.

A tokotoko is a walking stick that is both practical and symbolic in Māori culture. It is commonly used by elders and orators during formal speeches, particularly on the marae (sacred place), where it signifies the speaker’s right to speak and their connection to whakapapa (genealogy/identity). It can also be used as support when walking.