Mau Rakau is a general term that refers to the skilled use of weapons. It is said that the use of weapons was taught in the Whare-tū-taua (house or school of war). The term Mau taiaha is used to refer to the use of the taiaha and does not necessarily include other weapons.
Regular schools are held on Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua to teach the use of the taiaha. Mita Mohi founded the Mokoia taiaha wānanga, which by 2007 had trained more than 11,000 people over more than 30 years and had reached over 20,000 people by the time of his death in 2016. One of them is actor Cliff Curtis, who attended a Mau Rakau taiaha program on Mokoia Island at the age of 10. Curtis was like a son to Mohi and helped him whenever he could with programs in prisons and the community.
The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and are known for their fierceness and martial arts. If you have seen New Zealand teams (i.e., New Zealand rugby teams), you have probably seen the Haka. The Haka is the traditional war dance or battle cry of the Maori. It is used to intimidate opponents and to strengthen the fighting spirit of the group performing the Haka. The Haka is a kind of extended and group version of Karate’s Kiai.
