Te rabatan te matau. Shank. It has been filed from either te aubunga (clam shell) or cassus shell. This is one part of a composite te matau (fish hook). It is hard in material, off-white in colour, matte in surface texture and smooth to touch. Fine linear layers can be seen along its length and areas defining the characteristics of the shell material. It has been filed into a cylindrical form. One end has been tapered into a point. A circular perforation has been drilled through its depth for the purpose of inserting and attaching te ao (line). Opposite this end, a rim has been carved out for positioning the lashing of cordage. In some cases, a furrow would be filed into the centre of the cross-section, however this one remains whole showing the circular cross-section. This would be the area in which te tabon te matau (point) would be positioned and lashed to.