Matau (fish hook).

This matau (fish hook) is fashioned from a single piece of bone. It has a \ /-shaped opening at the top between two large inward-pointing kāniwha (barb-like projections). The kāniwha bevel down to a narrow gap that opens out into a lower U-shaped cavity. The kōreke (snood knob) is carved to represent a head. A smaller knob on the outer shaft is also carved as a head and may have functioned as a projection to fasten the pākaikai (bait lashing line) to. The outer edge of the hook is serrated with a row of notches along its length.

Function
The stoutly pointed hook design is thought to have worked by latching hold of the fish's lower jawbone rather than by piercing through the side of the mouth behind it. The jawbone was guided through the narrow gap by the kāniwha, which then held it secure aided by the rotation of the hook as the line was pulled taut.

Tradition
The Māori demigod Māui is credited in tradition with inventing the kāniwha 'barb', which, much to the resentment of his older brothers, enabled him to catch many more fish than they could. This ancient story reinforces the importance of this advance in fishing technology to the welfare of Māori.