More pics, less verbiage.
Not bad for a bit of white clay on wood. Though how they got clay to stick on a paddle is beyond me. Well done that artisan!
For a more holistic view, here is the LINK to Te Papa’s item on it, but really, to gaze upon it life size is to appreciate its balance and beauty. It’s near the main entrance to Art of the Nation, on the left on the wall, I think.
Kiwi Space Patrol 
Contrary to romanticised neo-colonial anthropological misinformations, project members should be aware that this is actually a cleverly designed utensil for scooping the last molecules of mashed potato and gravy from a KFC pottle.