3 ft. wide. In ordinary houses the height of the poupou above ground was somewhat under 6 ft. They were, of course, set opposite one another at even distances. The intervals were, as a rule, a little wider than the poupou. The upper ends of the poupou were secured to a batten, kaho paetara, placed behind the poupou and lashed to notches or holes in the corners of each. A skirting-board, papaka, was formed by slabs placed between the poupou. These slábs were rebated from the front at the ends to come flush with the faces of the poupou.”

The panel-space is thus defined by the poupou on either side, by the kaho paetara above, and by the papaka below. This is the nomenclature of the East Coast. The Arawa people of the Hot Lakes district, and the Whanganui on the west, call the upper cross-piece the kaho matapu. The lower skirting-board is called the paekakaho by both tribes, whilst the Arawa gave it an additional name, poitoito. In the best houses both cross-pieces were often carved. In other good houses the upper piece was ornamented by bindings of flax or kiekie, and in more modern times by painting. The panel-space was called moana by the Whanganui people.