whakatū rākau
1. (verb) to practise with weapons, show weapon skills.
Ka tahuri atu a Te Whata-karaka ki a Te Iwi-tuaroa, ka mea ko ia e tū atu ki te whakatū rākau, i te mea hoki ko tērā kē o rāua te mea tino mōhio ki te mau taiaha (NIT 1995:359). / Te Whata-karaka turned to Te Iwi-tuaroa and told him to to demonstrate his weapon skills, because he was the one who knew how o wield a taiaha.
2. (noun) weapon skill practice, weapon skill demonstration.
Mutu rawa tona whakatū rākau, kātahi ka tahuri atu ki te iwi, ka puta i konei ona kupu poroporoaki (TTT 1/12/1929:1940). / When he finally finished demonstrating his weapon kills he turned to the people and this as when he delivered his farewell speech.
