At this remove, it's hard to determine whether a design is culturally conservative, or independently derived. Thing about the Maori clubs is that the archeologists have dug up a bone club in the shape of the mere from about the time the Maori left for New Zealand. One could therefore say that the Maori retained an old design, at least in their hand clubs. One could also speculate that the taiaha is based on an old Polynesian design.
On the other hand, quite a few people and cultures have come up with that shape blade for everything from clubs to swords. Since it works so well, many craftsmen have figured it out.
So, shared history or independent origin? We'll likely never know.
Best,
F
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