Poroporoaki is about oral poetry—its nature, its social context and significance from a Tūhoe tribal perspective. This paper is primarily intended as a contribution to the ceremonial use of poroporoaki on the marae. The central importance of the oral performance of poroporoaki is keeping alive a poetic art form of language which emphasises the natural connection that exists between the human voice and the speech patterns employed. The transmission of this type of knowledge base is very important in Māori society.