Maori proverbial sayings often embody references to traditional traits of persons and tribes, and memories of historical incidents, as well as philosophy and poetic thought. The following are some further examples of whakatauki.

Tohea! Ko te tohe i te kai. (Be strenuous—it is a struggle for food. A saying to encourage industry and perseverance.)

E kore te patiki e hoki ki tana puehu. (The flounder does not return to the place where it stirred up the mud when disturbed. Opportunity does not present itself twice.)

He takapau pokai, nga uri o Paheke. (The descendants of Paheke always have their sleeping-mats rolled up quickly to carry about with them. Always on the move. Swaggers of the Maori.)

Rangitihi upoko whakahirahira. Rangitihi, te upoko takaia ki te akatea. (A famous chief of the Arawa, Rangitihi of the proud and lofty brow; his descendants must be respected. A warrior of great powers of endurance; his head, gashed open in battle, was bound up with bushvines and he rushed into the fray again.)

Kai mata whiwhia, maoa riro ke. (Do not wait until the food is cooked, otherwise some one else will take it. A saying originating in a forest incident of old. Some of a party on the march ate their food hastily before it was properly cooked and went on to seek safety. Those who stayed to cook it thoroughly were overtaken by foes and killed.)

Haere, e taku hoa, ki te urunga te taka, ki te moenga te whakaarahia. (A farewell to the dead: Go, O my friend, rest on the pillow which will not fall, the sleeping place where there is no awakening.)