First of its Kind: Māori Martial Arts Guidebook Translated into Chinese
The Chinese translation of Tū Mau Taiaha, Tū Mau Rākau celebrates the meeting of Māori and Chinese martial art traditions.
A vibrant gathering at Te Wharewaka o Pōneke over the weekend marked the launch of the Chinese translation of Māori martial arts guidebook Tū Mau Taiaha – Tū Mau Rākau. Hosted by TUMA and the Confucius Institute at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, the occasion drew a diverse audience united by a common appreciation for martial arts and cultural heritage. The event coincided with the opening of New Zealand Chinese Language Week, providing a fitting opportunity to celebrate linguistic and cultural connections between New Zealand and China.
The guidebook series itself represents a landmark achievement. As the first published guide dedicated to Māori martial arts, and now the first to be translated into Chinese, it marks a significant moment in fostering cultural exchange and understanding between Māori and Chinese communities. Rooted in both ancient practice and contemporary, locality-based knowledge, the TUMA school of mau rākau and mau taiaha has been carefully developed and taught within the Wellington region.
The formal proceedings of the launch featured reflections from key contributors and supporters of the project.
Chao Guan, translator of the guidebook and a PhD student at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, spoke about the translation process:
“Translating this book was never just about changing words from one language to another. It was a process of collaboration and cultural learning. The book is not only about Māori martial arts, but also about how knowledge in Te Ao Māori is taught, remembered, and passed on through language and practice. I hope this translation can help more Chinese readers meet Te Ao Māori in a respectful and accessible way.”
Matiu Tahi and Charlotte Goguel, authors of the guidebook, reflected on the significance of sharing this work with a wider audience. They described seeing the book translated into Chinese as both humbling and inspiring, creating new opportunities for cultural understanding and exchange. They also expressed their hope that this would be the first of many translations, noting that they were especially honoured that the first translation was into Chinese—the world’s second most spoken language—allowing these traditions to be shared with an even broader global audience.
Amy Rutherford, Chair of the Confucius Institute Board, emphasised the broader significance of the collaboration:
“This publication is a powerful example of cultural exchange at its best. It does more than translate words; it builds bridges, inviting Chinese audiences to engage with Māori knowledge in an authentic and meaningful way while fostering mutual respect and curiosity between cultures.”
Beyond the speeches, the event came alive through movement and demonstration. The TUMA mau rākau and mau taiaha group delivered a showcase of Māori martial arts, their movements grounded in discipline, storytelling, and whakapapa. This was complemented by an equally dynamic series of Chinese martial arts demonstrations, including Wuji style, Shaolin, Taichi, Tai Chi stick form, and Hop Gar Kung Fu.
Together, these performances created a dialogue between traditions. As the sequences unfolded side by side, connections grew increasingly visible, highlighting both distinct characteristics and shared values such as balance, strength, and respect.
The highlight of the afternoon was this very exchange — a genuine coming together of Māori and Chinese martial traditions— creating moments of recognition and resonance that transcended language.
As the event drew to a close, there was a strong sense that this was just the beginning. The Chinese translation of Tū Mau Taiaha, Tū Mau Rākau opens new pathways for learning, exchange, and understanding, ensuring that these living traditions continue to travel, connect, and inspire across cultures.
The guidebooks are available for purchase in English, te reo Māori, and Chinese at https://hauangi.co.nz/.