This project examines the literature surrounding pre-literate societies and the maintenance of their historical and traditional knowledge bases over time. To this end, many verbal strategies and devices were created by these communities as a means to implant, preserve, maintain, transmit and recall information of significance to the group or society concerned. One such mechanism from the canon of oral traditions is the traditional chant commonly referred to by Māori, as waiata mōteatea. This project is researching the view of waiata mōteatea as a mnemonic device for the transmission, retention and retrieval of significant historical, social and cultural information. A closer study of its cultural function and oral text form will better elucidate our reclamation and rejuvenation practices concerning this ‘taonga’. One such oral text device employed in waiata mōteatea to facilitate information transfer, and to aid retention and knowledge recall are those of kupu whakarite (simile) and huahuatau (metaphor). Herein lays the key theme of this research project.