Māori Weaponry in Stunt Training: Rākau, Rhythm & Cultural Connection

Māori Weaponry as Stunt Training: Movement & Connection

At NZ Stunt School, our approach to stunt training is rooted in both physical skill and cultural awareness. Each month, we incorporate native Māori weaponry and traditional movement practices into our training sessions, not as performance art, but as a way to move with intention, build awareness, and foster deeper connection within the stunt team.

The Principles Behind Traditional Māori Fighting Arts

Māori weaponry is grounded in core values of tikanga (customs), whakapapa (lineage and genealogy), tapu (sacredness or restricted), whanaungatanga (relationship), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship). The practice is grounded, rhythmic and connected. It allows us to connect to the land and teaches us how to move in connection to each other, while being present and fully aware.

Training with Rākau (Wooden Staff) is a powerful way to:

• Footwork that’s solid and sure stances that keep you rooted and ready

• Movement that’s fluid and precise

• Moving with intention, not reaction

• Relationship development (to self)

• Rhythm and timing that connects you to others

• Awareness of how to move collectively

• Staying in connection under pressure

• Building trust with your crew

These are essential life skills incorporated in to stunt training, whether you’re in a tight one-on-one, a group battle, or a full-blown action scene that lights up the whole set, this development contributes by sharpening your reactions and tightening your coordination which are essential to being safe, sharp, and reliable in stunt work.

Aotearoa in Action: Living Culture Through Movement

While Rākau is often seen as a weapon, our training also focuses on the cultural, emotional, and relational aspects often unseen. These sessions are guided with respect for Tikanga Māori, blending traditional movement with modern stunt discipline.

Bringing native New Zealand fighting styles into our practice connects us with the land we train on and the indigenous people who hold it. It fosters whanaungatanga — a sense of shared purpose and team belonging.

For our international students, it’s a way to experience Aotearoa not just as a location, but through the heartbeat of lived culture. Our instructor is experienced in both the physical and cultural aspects of the field. Sessions are guided with respect for Tikanga Māori and delivered in a way that honors the people and the land while applying it to modern stunt training.

Join Our Māori Weaponry Training Sessions

Māori staff training is now a regular part of our monthly stunt training at NZ Stunt School. These sessions are open to all NZSS students, performers, and action professionals who want to:

• Train with cultural integrity

• Improve core stunt skills (footwork, timing, weapons, coordination)

• Experience indigenous approach to stunt performance

Whether you’re beginner or experienced stunt performer, this is your chance to move with purpose and become a more grounded, aware, and connected stunt performer.

See you on the next monthly training (NZSS Students Only)!

To be part of NZSS Team, start with the Fight for Camera Course