In pre-colonial Māori society of New Zealand, ritual cannibalism, known as kai tangata, was practiced during warfare as a means to humiliate enemies and absorb their mana, or spiritual power. This practice was deeply embedded in cultural norms and beliefs, reflecting the complex social and spiritual dynamics of Māori life. Understanding kai tangata provides insight into the values and traditions of Māori culture before European contact.

Colonial accounts and Māori oral traditions influenced New Zealand literature exploring indigeneity and conflict. Poets engage with it in bicultural verses addressing taboo, power, and historical reconciliation in contemporary Pacific poetry.