ariki

This misdemeanour was, in Maori eyes, fatal to his prestige as an ariki and a war-leader.

Next day the fern of his child is eaten by the Ariki (head chief).

Apopo ake ka kainga e te Ariki te roi o tana tamaiti, the fern root of the tuatanga is eaten by the father.

These communities collectively acknowledged the superior prestige of an Ariki, or hereditary high chief.

For the ariki is thoroughly aware of the gradual extinction which is coming for his race.