This Māori staff was presented by the descendants of Korako Karetai, who owned land called ‘Pukekura’ (Taiaroa Head) on the Otago Headland east of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand.

The land had been awarded by Crown Grant to the ancestor Karetai in 1869. This land was then passed, by way of will, to his son, Korako Karetai. Karetai's descendants seek to encourage sustainable activities there, including the preservation of cultural taonga (treasures) for future generations.

The staff is a decorative example of a tewhatewha or fighting staff. They bear great spiritual and ceremonial significance, and were once used in battle to direct movements. The head is inlaid with mother of pearl, and the shaft bears a stylised head with mother-of-pearl eyes.

The maker of this tewhatewha is a descendant of Korako Karetai. It was made at his home near the rural town of Oxford in the higher plains of North Canterbuy, New Zealand.