One end features where a circular perforation has been drilled through its depth. This would be for the purpose of inserting and attaching te ao (line). The opposite end shows where a rim has been filed out and a furrow has been created over the cross-section of its end. The rim assists in the direction and positioning of te nimwaerere when lashing te tabon te matau to form a complete te matau. This can be seen in the two binds between the rim. Te tabon te matau has been filed from te bwaeo (mother of peal shell). It is has been filed into a slim con-like point and runs adjacent to the length of te rabatan te matau. It is grey in colour with some shimmer and transparency. Its base has been lashed to the filed end of te rabatan te matau.