Puppet

A wooden karetao (puppet). It is a male figure with feet planted slightly apart at the top of the handle by which he is held in performances. There are separate, flat arms, with five-fingered hands, attached to the shoulders by braided fiber cords passing through holes in the shoulders and top ends of arms. The face is covered with traditional male tattooing (moko).

Karetao are puppets that are used in the whare tapere (Māori theater). The body and handle are carved from one piece of wood while the limbs are attached with cord. The puppeteer makes the puppet move by pulling the attached strings.

According to notes made by the collector C.D. Voy, this puppet was formerly owned by a Māori chief near Te Wairoa, Lake Tarawera.