Here's a breakdown:
* Food: The primary purpose of the pataka was to store food. This included staples like:
* Kumara (sweet potato)
* Taro
* Kūmara
* Dried fish
* Seeds
* Honey
* Other preserved foods
* Tools: Some pataka also housed tools, such as:
* Adzes
* Chisels
* Fishing gear
* Valuables: Pataka could also be used to store items of value, like:
* Feathers
* Greenstone (jade)
* Flax (for weaving)
* Ceremonial objects
It's important to note that the specific contents of a pataka varied depending on the needs and resources of the village.
The construction and size of the pataka also varied. They were typically built from timber and raised off the ground to protect the contents from pests and moisture. Some pataka were small and used for personal storage, while others were large communal structures.
If you'd like to know more about pataka or other aspects of Māori culture, feel free to ask!