Mere

A mere (pronounced like “mehreh”) is a traditional hand weapon of the Māori.

A mere is a short club normally made of a heavy hardwood or stone, such as jade. Mere vary in length but are generally around 30 cm (12 inches) in length. Mere have two almost flat sides and a rounded, sharpened top. A mere pounamu is one of “greenstone” (jade). These were symbols of chieftainship and passed down as valuable heirlooms. Traditionally individual mere are named, and each is said to possess a mana of its own.

In use they were used for stabbing and thrusting rather than for axe-like blows.