Three interpretations of rangatira consider it as a compound of the Māori words "ranga" and "tira". In the first case, "ranga" is devised as a sandbar and the "tira" a shark fin. The allegoric sandbar helps reduce erosion of the dune (or people). The fin reflects both the appearance of the sandbar, and, more importantly, "its physical and intentional dominance as guardian"(Gray-Sharp, 2011, p. 195). Rangatira reinforce communities, cease to exist without them ("for what is a sandbar without sand?"), and have a protective capacity.