Aro-takaro are the 'face' of traditional Maori games. They are the iconic implements associated with indigenous games practices, rituals and protocols. A testament to their prolific ancient uses are the numerous games artefacts, vividly etched in millennia-old cave paintings, all over Aotearoa/NZ. Aro-takaro were spiritually conceived from the environment by villagers and perfected as social and educational tools by tohunga, the intellectual giants of the day, known as Hohou-Rongo - revered games artisans and peace-makers. The Hohou-Rongo utilised aro-takaro as mechanisms for peace, enjoyment, social bonding and in education to make their tribespeople resilient and adaptive.