Wahaika (short-bladed weapon)

This is a relatively large and heavy whale-bone wahaika (short-bladed weapon used in hand to hand combat). It is off-white/yellow in colour and has a carved figure on the lower blade edge. The figure's hands rest on its stomach and it has paua (New Zealand abalone) shell inlay in the eyes. There is a round suspension hole drilled in the handle, but no wrist thong. The pommel of the handle is decorated with a carved manaia (bird-like figure) head with paua shell inlay in the eyes.

Captain Cook link
The wahaika is linked to Captain Cook's voyage on the Discovery, which indicates it is at least pre-1777 and, therefore, pre-European. On one side of the wahaika is a glued note with the following inscription:

'Brought from New Zealand in 1777 by midshipman Burr in the Discovery [Captain James Cook]. Given to his sister in Bath, when an old lady, gave it to Dr. Joseph Hume-Spey of that town, in whose family it remained until October, 1909.'