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Story: Sharks and rays

A Māori proverb

Audio file

Pineamine (Pine) Taiapa, pictured, was a master wood carver and an orator with extensive training in traditional knowledge. In this recording he explains to an audience of school children the background to the proverb, ‘Kia mate ururora, kei mate wheke’ (Let me die like a shark, not like an octopus).

Using this item

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Reference: 40742

Image: Alexander Turnbull Library, 1/1-003883;G

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Sharks and rays – Māori and sharks, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/speech/6771/a-maori-proverb (accessed 12 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.