Karakia were used when carrying the dead to the caves where they were laid. The entrances to these caves were closed with slabs of stone so that no man might find them. It is only the tohunga who recites the incantation as he goes along. This is page 20 the karakia^*:—

"He kimihanga, he rangahautanga
Ka kimi ki hea ? Ka kimi ki uta
Ka kimi ki hea ? Ka kimi ki tai
Ka kimi ki te po
Ka waere ma Kere-ta, ka waere ma kere-ti
Ka kitea mai te hau o te tipua
Te hau o te tawhito mai te rangi tu
Kei te kahui mate i te po
Kei te kahui ora i te ao nei
Tena ka kitea koe ki tua
Ka kitea koe ki te wai ao
Ki te ao niarama."