It has been filed into a length where one end has been tapered into a short point and the other end into a flat spatulate form. It has been cut from the hinge segment of the shell. This is defined by its depth. One end shows where a small circular perforation has been drilled into the side. This would be for the purpose of te ao (line) to be inserted and attached. Opposite this, the spatulate end of te rabatan te matau has been utilized in lashing te tabon te matau (point) and a curled hackle of te ira (hair). The hackle of ira is made up of dark brown strands. It has been attached at its centre. Te tabon te matau has been made from te ri (bone). It appears to have been worked into its current form, a slim cone-like form that curves towards te rabatan te matau. It is ivory white in colour and smooth in colour. Te nimwaerere has been used to lash the hackle of ira and te tabon te matau to the spatulate end of te rabatan te matau.