Yes it could be an old training Taiaha. I have just found a plain Pouwhenua. I was going to post pictures of similar clubs from the British Museum Maori collection but they all had decorative carving. I provide the link and have expanded the picture. This does not mean what I have is old but it does establish plain forms, and by that the one I have could possibly be old? It is well patinated? As has been shown many times some old things need not look how you think they should or want?
http://www.new-guinea-tribal-art.com...weapons-maori/