Te kai ni wairau. Thatching awl. This kai ni wairau is used to make ato (pieces of thatch) forming the roof of dwellings. Ato are sourced from prepared te baa (coconut leaves) or baan ni kaina (pandanus leaves) that are soaked for up to three days then layered thickly together. When attached carefully these become water tight and are able to protect a dwelling for several years. The kai ni wairau is used to pierce the leaves which are then secured with te noko (coconut midrib) through the holes. This kai ni wairau is made of te rii (bone), rectangular at the base then reduces to a sharp needle, ground to a sharp point at one end. It is curved in profile with a textured glossy surface. It is an off-white colour.