#maoripeople

Portrait of Pare Watene of Ngāti Maru in 1878, by Gottfried Lindauer.  Her chiefly status is confirmed by the rare huia feathers in her hair and the Pounamu Meré (Jade hand-axe) in her hand.  The Meré is a traditional close-combat one-handed weapon, and is a symbol of chieftanship.  She is also shown wearing a Hei-tiki, an ornamental pendant which is typically made of Pounamu.  Hei-tiki are considered taonga(treasures).