Page 140 - Big Ideas Year 10 sciPAD 2025

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140 SCIPAD - BIG IDEAS - BOOK 2
FORCES AND MOTION
Kōtaha and Kōpere (The Whip Thrown Spear)
Being able to propel a weapon over a long distance has
been a useful combat strategy for centuries. Tūpuna had
such a weapon - a whip thrown spear called a kōpere.
The kōpere is a spear approximately 1.0 m long, made of
hardwood, with the point further hardened in a fire. It was
propelled by a type of whip called a kōtaha. The kōtaha is
made up of two parts - a short piece of mānuka wood a few
centimetres thick and a short cord made from harakeke.
When it is ready to be launched the kōpere is stuck loosely
in the ground at an angle and direction calculated to
strike the object aimed at. Then the cord from the kōtaha
is hooked into a small notch in the kōpere. The warrior then
seizes the wooden part of the kōtaha in both hands, and
propels it as shown in the image on the right.
Tamariki used to train for throwing kōpere by playing a game called 'teka'. For this game, the
kōpere is made from harakeke as shown below.
Rear- facing notch cut into the base of the harakeke.
Rigid harakeke leaf
Loop tied in the cord
Length of cord (20 cm long)
Strong stick (60-100 cm long)
Making Observations using a Kōpere
Equipment: Harakeke leaves (ensure a kaitiaki has approved the harvesting of the harakeke),
jute cord or string, strong lightweight stick between 60 cm and 100 cm long.
Method: 1. Use the diagram above to assist you to make a harakeke kōpere and kōtaha.
2. Using only your arm, make five throws with the kōpere. Measure the distance the
kōpere travels and record your data in the table below.
Throw Distance (m)
1
2
3
4
5
Average
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