Picked up meal, vital for Maori figure (4)

I believe the answer is:

tiki

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'figure' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for tiki that I've seen is " Maori human image".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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