The Māori kite is known as manu tukutuku or manu aute. Manu means both kite and bird, and the word tukutuku refers to the winding out of the line as the kite ascends.

Kites were often seen as connectors of the heavens and the earth, but they were also a means of communication for instance one village would often signal to the next that a meeting was needed by flying a kite.

Kites were flown to celebrate the start of the Māori New Year, when Matariki (the Pleiades) appeared in the mid-winter night sky.

Watch this video from the 'Tales of Te Papa' series to learn a little more about Manu Tukutuku and its history in Aotearoa.

Manu taratahi

(First image)

Manu taratahi is a triangular kite, with a projecting plume at one end (taratahi one point). The frame is made of culms of toetoe or kakaho, three of which are tied together to form a frame. A small rod (tangotango) is tied across the lower ends of the culms, and a covering of raupo is laced horizontally onto the frame with a fine flax cord. Feathers and paua shells often decorate the kite. The width of the triangular body averages approximately 70cm, the height averages 75cm. The toe toe plumes would extend between 50cm and 70cm beyond the body of the kite.

Upoko tangata

(second image)

Upoko tangata is a rectangular form of kite with two short wing-like extensions with a series of rush stems attached to reduce instability. The frame is also made of rush stems and the flying line is secured at the centre of the kite, its strongest point.

Manu patiki

(Third image)

Another common kite was the manu patiki, the flatfish or flounder kite. Often diamond shaped, but sometimes oval, the frame consisted of manuka rods, with a covering of raupo leaves laid at right angles to the central rod. Keruru (pigeon) feathers were often used to decorate this kite, while the top had a plume of toetoe and the tail (again of keruru feathers) provided stability at the bottom of the kite.

Follow the instructions on this document to create your very own manutukutuku from natural materials.

Follow either of the instructions on these document to create your very own manutukutuku from paper.