wiki

to form circular ripples on the surface of a fluid


rite

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *lite. Compare Hawaiian like.

whakarite

to make something equal, to make something similar


ai

From Proto-Polynesian *ʻai, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qai (“copulate with”). Cognate with Hawaiian ai.


kawa

From Proto-Polynesian *kawa (cognates include Hawaiian ʻawa, Tongan kava and Samoan ʻava) from Proto-Oceanic *kawaʀ (“potent root”) metathesis of Proto-Oceanic *wakaʀ (“root”), thus doublet of aka. Sense of plant lost with species introduced to Aotearoa dying out due to its cold climate. Sense of "marae protocol" seems to be a modern extension.

to perform the kawa ceremony, open a new house


pata

From Proto-Polynesian *pata (compare with Tahitian pata (“to flick, to flip”) and tōpata (“droplet, to drip”), Hawaiian paka (“to strike of raindrops, to patter”)) from Proto-Oceanic *bata.


tore

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *tore (“striked, streaked” – compare to Rarotongan tore, Tahitian tore),

(of light) to pass through a narrow aperture


kopa

From Proto-Polynesian *kopa (“weak, lame”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kemba (“to be weak”).


au

From Proto-Polynesian *(q)au (“howl, bark”).


toro

head

toro (passive toroa or torohia or torona)

toroa (passive)
torohia (passive)
torona (passive)


mate

From Proto-Polynesian *mate, from Proto-Oceanic *mate, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(m-)atay, from Proto-Austronesian *(m-)aCay.

to be defeated, conquered, beaten, overcome


tau

From Proto-Polynesian *tau, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taʀuq (compare Malay taruh).


tau

From Proto-Polynesian *tau, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taqu, from Proto-Austronesian *Caqu (compare Malay tahu).


motu

Maori: mou

From Proto-Polynesian *motu (compare with Hawaiian moku) from Proto-Oceanic *motus (“broken off, detached”) (compare with Fijian yamotu), possibly from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ma-utus.

inh

to sever, cut, cut off, set free, separate

to be separated, moved to a distance - especially in the phrase motu ki te ara


pare

From Proto-Oceanic *pale₁ (cognate with Hawaiian pale)


pou

From Proto-Oceanic *bou (“pillar supporting raised floor, roof or ridgepole” – compare with Tahitian pou, Tongan pou, Samoan pou and Fijian pou).

to prop on (or elevate with) posts or pillars


ane

From Proto-Polynesian *ane (“termite” – compare with Hawaiian ane, Samoan ane), from Proto-Oceanic *ane (compare with Fijian yane), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *anay (compare with Malay anai-anai, Tagalog anay), from Proto-Austronesian *aNay. Original sense of insect lost by semantic broadening.


oni

From ori “to sway, to agitate, to copulate” from Proto-Polynesian *ori (compare with Tahitian oni “male [of animals]”, Tuamotuan oni “to copulate”); with possible influence of koni “to move” and konikoni “to rub” from Proto-Polynesian *koni (“to move, to copulate” – compare with Tahitian ʻoni, Tuamotuan oni “to grind” and onioni “to rub two things together [i.e. of sticks for fire]”).

to move, shift or slip from a previous position

to thrust one's hips in a sexually suggestive way

to make love, to copulate, to bed someone


ua

Inherited from Proto-Polynesian *quha (compare with Tahitian ua, Samoan ua and Tongan ʻuha) from Proto-Oceanic *qusan (compare with Fijian uca)), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *quzan (compare with Malay hujan, Tagalog ulan).


hoe

From Proto-Polynesian *fohe, from Proto-Central Pacific *voce, from Proto-Oceanic *pose, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *boʀse, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bəʀsay (“canoe paddle”).


inu

Ka inu tō toto, Kaiwhatu ahau, Paimārire mātou

2021, “Kai Whatu”, performed by Alien Weaponry:

Your blood is drunk, I am The Eye Eater, We are Paimārire


nama

head

nama (passive namaa or namahia or namaia or namangia)

namaa (passive)
namahia (passive)
namaia (passive)
namangia (passive)


ako

ako (passive akohia or akona or akongia or akoria)

akohia (passive)
akona (passive)
akongia (passive)
akoria (passive)


kai

From Proto-Polynesian *kai, from Proto-Oceanic *kani, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kaən (compare with Malay makan, Tagalog kain “to eat” and kanin “food esp. cooked rice”), from Proto-Austronesian *kaən.


poro

From Proto-Oceanic *polos “to cut across, to sever” – compare with Samoan polo


kite

From Proto-Polynesian *kite (compare with Hawaiian ʻike, Tahitian ʻite) from Proto-Oceanic *kita-i suffixed from *kita from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kita (“to see”) (compare with Tagalog kita).


pere

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *pere (“sudden sharp movement”).


eke

From Proto-Polynesian *heke (compare with Tongan heka; Tahitian eʻe; South Marquesan eʻe; North Marquesan eke; Hawaiian eʻe) from Proto-Oceanic *sake (compare with Fijian cake (“up”)), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *sakay (“to ride on something”) (compare with Ilocano sakáy (“to ride, to mound”) and Tagalog sakáy (“passenger, load”)). Sense of "surfing" from overlap with heke. Doublet of ekeeke.


matira

From Proto-Polynesian *ma-tila (“bamboo, bamboo fishing rod, bamboo knife”), from *tila (“mast, yardarm”).


hongi

To perform the Maori greeting of touching noses.


amo

to carry something on the shoulder (on a litter, etc)


poi

From Proto-Polynesian *poi (“irregular motion”). Cognate with Niuean poi (“run around”).


tapa

From Proto-Polynesian *tapas variant of *tapas-i (“to cut” – compare with Rarotongan tapaʻi “to chop down lengthwise, to cleave”, Tahitian tapahi “to cut or split a fruit into two, to cut down a tree”, Samoan tafa, Tongan tafa “to cut open (of boils), to incise, to carve”), from Proto-Oceanic *tapasi (compare with Fijian tava “to cut with a knife, to castrate”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tabas (compare with Malay tebas “to slash or cut down grasses, small plants”, Tagalog tabas “to cut fabric, paper”). Doublet of tapahi.

to reap, to harvest (of crops like wheat)


maki

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *maki (compare Tahitian maʻi), from Proto-Polynesian *masaki (compare , East Futuna masaki, Tongan mahaki), from Proto-Oceanic *masakit, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *sakit (compare Tagalog masakit, Malay sakit, Acehnese sakét). Doublet of mahaki.


maka

throw, fling, cast, pass (with the hands)

Makaia ai ngā purapura ki roto i te awa kia kuhu tahi me ngā wātakirihi, hei te wā e hauhakea ai he huaranga kau i ngā pūtake o ngā wātakirihi e kohia ana.

Place the tubers in the stream to join with the watercress, and at the time of harvest, transplant the roots of the watercress you are collecting.


ora

Inherited from Proto-Polynesian *ola, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *wada (“to exist”). Cognate with Malay ada (“to have, to exist, to be”).

to be alive, well, safe, cured, recovered, healthy


akiri

head

akiri (passive akiria or akiringia or akiritia)

akiria (passive)
akiringia (passive)
akiritia (passive)


mina

mina (passive minatia or minahia or minaia)

minatia (passive)
minahia (passive)
minaia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *mina, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *minat (compare with Malay minat).


koko

koko (passive kokoa or kokongia or kokotia)

kokoa (passive)
kokongia (passive)
kokotia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *koko (“to scoop in the hands”), from Proto-Austronesian *gemgem (“fist; to hold in the fist”). Cognate with Malay genggam (“grip”).


kakau

From Proto-Polynesian *ka-kau (compare with Tongan kakau, Samoan ʻaʻau) reduplication of *kau₂ from Proto-Oceanic *kaRu. Doublet of kau.


tuku

From Proto-Polynesian *tuku (“to let go, to release”) (compare with Tokelauan tuku, Samoan tuʻu, Tahitian tuʻu and Hawaiian kuʻu).


kau

From Proto-Polynesian *kau (compare with Hawaiian ʻau), from Proto-Oceanic *kayu, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kahiw (compare with Malay kayu), from Proto-Austronesian *kaSiw.


kau

From Proto-Polynesian *kau₂ from Proto-Oceanic *kaRu.


tangi

From Proto-Polynesian *taŋi, from Proto-Oceanic *taŋis (compare with Fijian tagi), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taŋis (compare with Malay tangis, Tagalog tangis), from Proto-Austronesian *Caŋis.


paki

From Proto-Polynesian *paki₁ (“to clap, to slap, to hit, to beat”) (compare with Hawaiian paʻi, Tahitian paʻipaʻi and pāʻi plus Samoan paʻipaʻi), from Proto-Oceanic *baki from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pakpak₁ (“to clap, to flap”) (compare with Malay papak (“clapper”), Tagalog pakpák (“wing”) and palakpák (“applause”) plus Cebuano pakpák (“applause”)). Sense of printing extended from Maori beating of aute fabric from paper mulberry, compare with Hawaiian paʻi on similar analogue from kapa production using the same plant. Doublet of papaki (“to slap, to spank”) and pā (“to touch, to strike”).


oma

run, race, flee, escape, move quickly, run away


utu

→ English: utu, hoot

From Proto-Polynesian, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *utuŋ (compare Hawaiian uku, Malay untung).


ara

araia (passive)
arahia (passive)
aratia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *qara, from Proto-Central Pacific *qadra.

Nā tētahi nūpepa te kōrero inatata nei kei te ara mai anō te reo Māori.

Just recently a newspaper reported that the Māori language is reviving.


aro

head

aro (passive arohia or arongia or arotia)

arohia (passive)
arongia (passive)
arotia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *qaro (compare with Rarotongan aro, Tahitian aro and Samoan alo), from Proto-Oceanic *qarop, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qadəp (“front, facing part” – compare with Javanese ꦲꦉꦥ꧀ (arep) “front, desire”, Malay hadap “to face”, Tagalog harap “front, facade”, Brooke's Point Palawano alep).

Me aro te kaikōrero ki te hunga turi, kia kite ai rātou i tōna waha e kōrero na.

The speaker should face toward the deaf people so that they can see her mouth when she is talking.

(transitive) to turn toward something or someone


puku

→ English: puku

From Proto-Polynesian *puku₁ (compare with Hawaiian puʻu and Tahitian puʻu), from Proto-Oceanic *buku from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bukuh (compare with Malay buku (“node, lump, loaf”)). Sense of stomach displaced manawa. Also doublet of kupu, see there for more details.


hui

From Proto-Polynesian from Proto-Oceanic *pui₁ (“bunch of fruit”) (compare with Hawaiian hui (“troupe, association, society, club”) and Tahitian hui (“group”) plus Hawaiian huihui (“cluster, collection, bunch”) and Tahitian huihui (“collection”)). Doublet of huihui.


tae

From Proto-Polynesian *tae (“to reach, to arrive” – compare with Tahitian tae “to arrive or reach somewhere”, Samoan taea “to reach to somewhere”, Tongan tae “to reach for an object by stretching one's hand” and tatae “to extend the arm to collect; to gather”).


puta

From Proto-Polynesian *puta. Compare Hawaiian puka.


unu

From Proto-Polynesian *unu, from Proto-Oceanic *unus, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hunus, from Proto-Austronesian *SuNus (“withdraw, pull out, extract”).

inh

to pull off, put off, take off (clothes, etc.)


unu

From Proto-Polynesian *unu, variant of *inu.


koro

head

koro (passive koroa or korongia or korotia)

koroa (passive)
korongia (passive)
korotia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *kolo (“intend, desire”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kele.


taka

From Proto-Polynesian *taka (compare with Hawaiian kaʻa (“to revolve, to twist, to pass”), Tahitian taʻa (“to tumble”), Tongan taka (“to wander, to roam”), Samoan taʻa (“to wander, to roam”)).


horo

From Proto-Polynesian *solo₃ (compare with Hawaiian holo, Tahitian horo, Samoan solo) from Proto-Polynesian *ŋaasolo (“to move swiftly forward”).


tiri

From Proto-Polynesian *tili (“hand net” – compare with Samoan tili “to cast a net, to net”, Hawaiian kili “to rain gently, to drizzle”, Tahitian tiri, Tongan sili “to net”)

to throw or place one by one, to stack in a row


ato

atohia (passive)
atotia (passive)
atoa (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *qato (compare with Tahitian ato, Hawaiian ako), from Proto-Oceanic *qatop, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qatəp (compare with Malay atap, Tagalog atip).

On that island the houses are thatched with the leaves of the coconut tree.

I taua moutere ka atohia ngā whare ki ngā rau o te niu. (PK 2008:40)


tiro

From Proto-Polynesian *tiro (compare with Samoan tilo); but disputed further.
* According to Wolff (2010): from Proto-Oceanic *tidro (compare with Fijian tidro “to peer at something”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tindaw (compare with Malay tinjau “to inspect, to keep an eye on”).
* According to Osmond and Pawley (2016): from Proto-Oceanic *tirop (compare with Fijian tidro as above) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tindap


koe

(of a bird or animal) to squeak, scream, squawk or cry


uta

From Proto-Polynesian *uta (compare with Tahitian uta “to carry cargo on any vehicle”, Samoan uta and Tongan uta “cargo, freight”) from Proto-Oceanic *(ʀ)ucan “load, cargo, freight” ~ *ujan “cargo; load a canoe” (compare with Fijian usa “to carry freight”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *lujan (“cargo; to load on a canoe” – compare with Makasar lurang “load, cargo, freight, passenger”, Buginese lureng, Mandar rurang, Tagalog lulan “cargo, load”).

to load on, put on (passengers or cargo on vehicles)


ā

Likely cognate with Hawaiian ʻā (“to drive, to urge (such as cattle)”).

cog

to drive something, such as cattle or other livestock


tō

to drag or open/shut (incl. both physical and computer windows)


tō

tō te taringa


piti

Related to āpiti “to add, to attach, to supplement”, kapiti “to clench (of teeth), to clamp”, and karapiti “to grapple, to surround, to encircle” ultimately from Proto-Oceanic *kapit-i “to grasp with tongs” affixing *kapit “tongs” (compare with kapi “to close” and Fijian kabi “to cling, to stick”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qapit “to pinch or squeeze” (compare Malay apit “to squeeze between two detached or separate surfaces”).
Compare with Tahitian piti “two, double, pair”, North Marquesan hāpiti “to tighten, to constrict, to press against”.


tara

From Proto-Polynesian *tala (“spine, prong”) – compare with Tahitian tara (“horn, spur, sting”), Tongan tala and Samoan tala.

(of the sun) to shine rays, to irradiate


moto

From Proto-Polynesian *moto (compare with Hawaiian moko, Tahitian moto, Tongan moto and momoto)

to strike with the fist, to punch, to box


toko

From Proto-Polynesian *toko (compare with Samoan toʻo, Hawaiian koʻo) from Proto-Oceanic *tokon, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *təkən (“bamboo punting pole, to press downward”) (compare with Malay tekan, Tagalog tikin).


oka

From Proto-Oceanic *hoka “to husk coconuts” (compare with Rarotongan oka, Tongan hoka and Samoan oʻa). Sense of husking coconuts lost with other coconut-related activities in temperate New Zealand in contrast to other cognates, added by influence of hoka; see there for details.


uru

From Proto-Polynesian *huru (compare with Tahitian uru, Samoan ulu, Tongan hū), from Proto-Oceanic *huru (compare with Fijian curu) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *surup (“enter, penetrate”) – compare with Malay surup (“to possess”) and Javanese surup (“ibid., to enter”), Tagalog sulop (“to seep, to penetrate”).

Kei te whakaaro a Pāpā taihoa au ka toa ki te kauhoe, koia au i tohua ai kia uru i ia raumati.

2020, Jeff Kinney, translated by Hēni Jacob, Te Rātaka a Tama Hūngoingoi Ko Rodrick Kei Runga:

Dad's got this idea that I'm destined to be a great swimmer or something, so that's why he makes me join the team every summer.


runa

Cognate with Tahitian nuna “amalgamation” and nunā “people, nation”.


pākehā

Likely shortened from pakepakehā, which is of unknown origin. The Te Aka Māori dictionary entry cites Mohi Tūrei for the claim that the term is originally from a chant that European sailors sang when raising the anchor.

Ko tēnei taonga ko Whakarewa ināianei kai tētahi o ngā uri o Te Amo-hau, engari he uri kua Pākehā rawa.

This treasure, Whakarewa, is now with one of Te Amo-hau's descendants, but this descendant has become too much of a Pākehā.

to become pākehā, to become westernised or influenced by British culture


mihi

head

mihi (passive mihia or mihingia or mihitia)

mihia (passive)
mihingia (passive)
mihitia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *misi (“grieve for”). Cognate with Hawaiian mihi (“regret”).


tipi

From Proto-Polynesian *tipi (compare with Rarotongan tipi, Tahitian tipi and Samoan tipi) from Proto-Oceanic *tipi (compare with Fijian cibi) likely related to *supi (“to shave” – compare with Tongan hifi, Fijian civi).


pani

From Proto-Oceanic *pani (cognates include Hawaiian poni “to anoint, to daub in oil”, Tongan pani “to smear, to daub in oil; to stain; to cover with oil”, Samoan pani “to dye”, Fijian vani “to oil one's hair [by passing through fingers]”).


heu

From Proto-Polynesian *seu (compare with Tahitian heu, Tongan heu (“to ward off, to stir, to rake”), Samoan seu (“to ward off”), Fijian seu (“to scratch, to paw, to scoop”). Doublet of heuheu.


hara

From Proto-Polynesian *sala (cognate with Hawaiian hala), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *salaq (compare with Malay salah).


marino

From Proto-Polynesian *malino. Cognate with Hawaiian malino.

to be calm or still (usually of the sea)


kuru

head

kuru (passive kurua or kurungia or kurutia)

kurua (passive)
kurungia (passive)
kurutia (passive)

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *kulu (“to strike”).

inh

to strike with a fist; to pound or thump


tū

From Proto-Polynesian *tuqur (cognate with Hawaiian kū and Tongan tuʻu), from Proto-Oceanic *tuqu (cognate with Fijian tū), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tuquD.


kari

From Proto-Polynesian from Proto-Oceanic *kali (compare with Hawaiian ʻali) ~ *keli (compare with Samoan ʻeli and Tongan keli) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kali (compare with Malay gali). Doublet of keri.


hanga

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *saŋa (compare Hawaiian hana, Tahitian haʻa, Tongan hanga).


kino

head

kino (passive kinohia or kinongia or kinotia)

kinohia (passive)
kinongia (passive)
kinotia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *kino (“bad”). Cognate with Hawaiian ʻino.


hura

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *fula (“to dance”)


toa

From Proto-Polynesian *toqa (compare Hawaiian koa and Samoan toa).


moe

From Proto-Polynesian *mohe (compare Tongan mohe, Hawaiian moe) from Proto-Oceanic (compare Fijian moce).


kapu

From Proto-Oceanic *kabu (“cup, ladle” – compare with Tahitian ʻapu “cavity, shell [of gourds etc.]”, Samoan ʻapu and Tongan kapu “receptacle from rolled up leaf”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kabuq (“ladle, dipper” – compare with Cebuano kabo).


tina

Tina ana i te mataku o te taua; He sits still through fear of the enemy.

1852, William Williams, A Dictionary of the New Zealand Language, and a Concise Grammar; to Which is Added a Selection of Colloquial Sentences, 2nd edition, London: Williams and Norgate, page 172:


tina

Borrowed from English dinner (“midday meal”).


tanu

From Proto-Oceanic *tanum (compare with Rarotongan tanu “to plant, to till, to cultivate land”, Tahitian tanu “to dig, to sow seeds”, Samoan tanu) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tanəm (“to plant” – compare with Malay tanam “to plant [of trees etc], to bury”, Chamorro tanom, Cebuano tanom, Tagalog tanim “planting, harbouring of a grudge”), from Proto-Austronesian *CaNəm (“bury”).

to plant (trees etc, seeds into the ground)


waru

From Proto-Polynesian *waru — compare with Tahitian varu and vaʻu, Samoan valu, Tongan vau.


tunu

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tunu, from Proto-Austronesian *CuNuh.


tā

From Proto-Polynesian *taa (cognate with Hawaiian kā (“to strike, to hack”)), from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taRaq (cognate with Malay tarah (“to hew”)), from Proto-Austronesian *taRaq.

to dump, strike, beat, thump, throw down, tackle


kuku

From Proto-Oceanic *kuku “finger or toe nail” (compare with Samoan ʻuʻu “nail”, Tongan kuku “to grasp, to grip, to clutch”, Fijian kuku) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kuku “ibid.” (compare with Malay kuku, Tagalog kuko).
Broadening in sense of “pinching” > “attraction” observable in the same language family e.g. Malay cuit (e.g. mencuit hati).

to draw together and close an opening of something


kuku

From Proto-Polynesian *kuku “mussel, any Mytilidae species” (compare with Rarotongan kuku, Samoan ʻuʻu, Tongan kuku) from Proto-Oceanic *kukur “to scrape, any mussel with shells used for this purpose” from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kuDkuD “to scrape; rasp; grate” (compare with Malay kukur “to scrape [of coconut], to scratch [of itches], to rasp”, Tagalog kudkod “grating (of coconut), shaving or scraping [of ice]”).

to grate, to scrape – usually part of compound verbs, otherwise an alternative form of kukū


whiri

From Proto-Polynesian *fili (compare with Hawaiian hili (“to braid, to plait, to turn aside”), Tahitian firi (“to plait”) and ‘ōfiri (“to wrap around”), Tongan fili and Samoan fili), from Proto-Oceanic from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *piliN (compare with Malay pilin).

cog

Ko ngā turu o aua taonga he mea uhi ki te kākahu pūtiotio, he mea whiri.

The chairs of that furniture were covered in rough woven cloth.


whiri

From Proto-Polynesian *fili (compare with Tongan fili, Samoan fili and filifili), from Proto-Oceanic (compare with Fijian vili (“to pick, to gather”)), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *piliq (compare with Malay pilih, Tagalog pili and pumili, Malagasy fidy), from Proto-Austronesian *piliq.


keri

From Proto-Polynesian, from Proto-Oceanic *keli (compare with Samoan ʻeli and Tongan keli) ~ *kali (compare with Hawaiian ʻali) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kali (compare with Malay gali). Doublet of kari.

to dig (to move hard-packed earth out of the way)


whero

Derived from Proto-Polynesian *felo (“yellow, tawny” – compare with Hawaiian helo, Tongan felo and felofelo) Sense of "yellow" displaced by kōwhai while evolving close to "red".
Sense of “bright” is semantic evolution from “yellow” > “bright”. This also evolved into sense of gold from its shine; recorded as ferro by Vincent Pyke interviewing one Mr. Palmer informed by one "Tuawaiki" (or "Tuwaewae") in Otago. Similar parallels in the same Austronesian family can be seen in Tagalog between bulaw “reddish orange” and bulawan “gold”, and Malagasy volamena (from vola mena, lit. “red silver”).


ruaki

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian? (compare Malay luah).


huru

From Proto-Polynesian, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *suluq; compare Malay suluh.


whatu

From Proto-Polynesian *fatu, from Proto-Oceanic *patuʀ, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *batuʀ (“to weave, plait”).

inh

Whatua mai te aho kia kāwitiwiti, kia kātoatoa mō te oti wawe, e hine!

For an earlier completion, weave the cross threads so that they taper and contract, girl!


mutu

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *mutu.
Compare Indonesian putus, Fijian mudu.


rongo

From Proto-Polynesian *roŋo, from Proto-Central Pacific *roŋo, from Proto-Oceanic *roŋoʀ (compare with Fijian rogo), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *dəŋəʀ, from Proto-Austronesian *dəŋəʀ (compare with Malay dengar, Tagalog dinig).

to hear (used in the passive form or as rongona)


mataku

From Proto-Polynesian *mataku, from Proto-Oceanic *matakut, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *matakut, from Proto-Austronesian *matakut.


tupu

From Proto-Polynesian *tupu, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tubuq, from Proto-Austronesian *Cubuq (compare Malay tumbuh).


kohu

from Proto-Polynesian *kofu “to wrap food in leaves”, likely inspired by Etymology 2.

to cook in a hollow receptacle i.e. pot in an earth pit (hangi)


tuhi

From Proto-Oceanic *tusuq-i (compare with Samoan tusi, Tongan tuhuʻi “to point”, Fijian dusi “to indicate, to point”) variant of *tusu (compare with Tongan tuhu “finger, to point”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tuzuq (compare with Malay tunjuk “to point” and tuju “to head somewhere”, Iban tunjuk “finger, to point”, Tagalog turo “pointing, guiding, teaching”).


tuhi

From Proto-Oceanic *tusi (“to mark or adorn” – compare with Samoan tusi, Tongan tuhi “streak”, Fijian tusi “fabric mark or pattern”).


whata

From Proto-Polynesian *fata (compare with Tahitian fata “altar of a marae”, Tongan fata, Samoan fata), from Proto-Oceanic *pataʀ (compare with Fijian vata) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pataʀ (compare with Iban pantar “outer longhouse verandah”, Malay pelantar “platform”).

to shelve something, to put something on a shelf


ota

From Proto-Austronesian *qətaq (compare Fijian koda).


kapi

From Proto-Polynesian *kapi (“to hold firmly between”) (compare with Tahitian ʻapi (“fold”)) from Proto-Oceanic *kapit “tongs” (compare with Fijian kabi “to cling, to stick”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qapit
“to pinch or squeeze” (compare Malay apit).


tari

From Proto-Oceanic *sariŋ, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *zariŋ.


tari

From Proto-Polynesian *tari (compare with Rarotongan tari; Tongan tali; and Samoan tali).


tahi

From Proto-Oceanic *tapi (compare with Tongan tafi, Samoan tafi “to brush off, to wipe off”, Fijian tavi “to sweep, to brush lightly, to pat”) merging with Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tapik (“to pat, to slap light” – compare with Tagalog tapík)


puna

From Proto-Polynesian *puna (“spring of water”), from Proto-Oceanic *puna (“spring of water”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *puna (“source; origin”), from Proto-Austronesian *puna (“source; origin”). Cognate to Hawaiian puna, Samoan puna.


mura

Sense of colour from backformation of muramura “colourful”


wera

head

wera (passive werahia or weraina or weratia)

werahia (passive)
weraina (passive)
weratia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *wela (“to burn”). Cognate with Hawaiian wela, Tahitian vera.


raka

From Proto-Polynesian *laka₁ (compare with Tahitian raʻa, Samoan laʻa and laʻalaʻa, and Tongan laka “to step, to march, to move forward, to proceed”) from Proto-Oceanic *laka (compare with Fijian laka) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laŋkaq (compare with Malay langkah)


hana

From Proto-Polynesian *fana (compare with Tahitian hana and hanahana, Tongan mafana and Samoan mafana), from Proto-Oceanic *panas, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *panas (compare with Tetum hanas, Malay panas).


tui

From Proto-Polynesian *tui (“to thread on string”) (compare with Hawaiian kui) from Proto-Oceanic *tuRi₁ from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tuhuR (“to string together”) (compare with Tagalog tuhog).


kati

From Proto-Polynesian *kati, from Proto-Oceanic *kaʀat(i), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kaʀat, from Proto-Austronesian *kaʀaC (“bite”). Cognate with Tagalog kagat (“bite”) and Malay kerat.


puru

Australian National University
Bruce Biggs

From Proto-Oceanic *pulu (“coconut husk”) (compare with Fijian bulu and Hawaiian pulu "coconut husk") from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bulut. Sense of "plug" is a semantic extension from the lack of coconuts found naturally in New Zealand.


pūpū

Either from Proto-Polynesian *puu-puu (compare with Samoan pupu and Hawaiian pūpū) from Proto-Oceanic *buburu; or reduplication of pū from Proto-Polynesian *puu (“clump”).


hae

From Proto-Polynesian *sae₁ (“to tear something”) (compare with Hawaiian hae, Tahitian hahae and haehae plus Samoan sae), from Proto-Oceanic *saRe (compare with Fijian sei) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *saRek (compare with Malay carik (“to tear, to rip”) and Tagalog sira (“damage, rupture, tear”)).


hae

From Proto-Polynesian *sae₂ (“wild, fierce”) (compare with Hawaiian hae (“rage, fury”), Tahitian pohehae (“jealous”) and hae (“anger”) plus Samoan sae).


pepe

From Proto-Oceanic *kau-bebek (compare with Rarotongan pepe, Tahitian pepe, Samoan pepe, Tongan pepe) ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ali-baŋbaŋ compare with (Tagalog alibangbang, Ilocano alibangbang) affixing *baŋbaŋ (compare with Malay kulimambang, Javanese bambang, Acehnese bambang)

to stumble, hesitate or stutter (in speech, reciting etc)


pū

From Proto-Polynesian *puqu (compare with Hawaiian pū “tree, clump”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *puqun (compare with Tagalog puno, Malay pohon and Iban pun all meaning “tree”).


pū

From Proto-Polynesian *pusi₁ (also doublet of puhi). Noun sense of gun is semantic extension from shape of barrels.


tutū

to be mischievous, disobedient, mutinous, rebellious, undisciplined, or disruptive.


hū

From Proto-Polynesian [Term?]. Cognate with Hawaiian hū.


kā

From Proto-Polynesian *kaha (“to burn”). Cognates include Hawaiian ʻā and Rapa Nui kā.


pā

From Proto-Polynesian *paa (“enclosure”) (cognates include Hawaiian pā (“wall”) and Rapa Nui pā) from Proto-Oceanic *baRa (cognates include Fijian ba) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *baRa


pā

Variant of pākia from Proto-Polynesian *paa-kia (compare with Hawaiian pāʻia and Tongan pākia).

to touch, strike, hit (as by a stone), tag, affect

to be connected with, relate to, pertaining to, regarding

to be heard, reach one's ears, hold personal communication with

to participate, act together, act in concert, join in (an undertaking)


ō

From Proto-Polynesian *qoho (“journey provisions”), from Proto-Oceanic *qoso (“ibid.”) (cognate of Hawaiian ō (“food, provisions”)).

He whare nui ō rāua.


piu

Compare with Tahitian piu and Tuamotuan piu

to cast, to throw, to fling (of rope, line etc)


kupu

From Proto-Polynesian *kupu (cognates include Hawaiian ʻupu (“thought, recollection”), Tahitian ʻupu (“prayer, invocation”) and Samoan ʻupu), from Proto-Oceanic *puku by metathesis, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bukuh (compare with Malay buku). Sense of "word" comes from metaphorical comparison of segments of written speech with culms of bamboo.


hua

From Proto-Polynesian *fua, from Proto-Oceanic *puaq, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buaq, from Proto-Austronesian *buaq (“fruit”) (compare Malay buah).


poki

Cognate of Hawaiian poʻi “crest of a breaking wave; lid, to cover with a lid; to cup one's hands”; Tahitian poʻi “lid, cover” and popoʻi “to cup one's hands”; Tuamotuan poki “to cover over, [of waves] to crash”. Maybe semantically related to Fijian tavuki “to capsize [of a boat]” and vuki “to change direction” thus from Proto-Oceanic *poki. Compare with similar parallels in the same language family e.g. semantic connection of Malay membalikkan “to flip or turn over” and terbalik “upside down”.

to turn over, to hang or place concave objects (like boats) upside down

to cover over something (esp. with a lid)


piki

From Proto-Polynesian *piki (“to climb”).


rara

From Proto-Polynesian *lala (“scattered, disorderly”).

Ka rara ngā ika ki runga o te kaharunga.

The fish rushed over the upper edge of the seine net.


tuki

From Proto-Polynesian *tuki (compare with Hawaiian kuʻi, Tongan tuki) from Proto-Austronesian *tuktuk ultimately onomatopoeic.


hoki

From Proto-Oceanic *poki (“to return” – compare with Tongan foki and Samoan foʻi; plus Fijian voki “[of the wind] to blow in a different direction”, vuki “to change direction” and tavuki “to capsize [of a boat]”). May also be related to poki “to overtake (of a boat), to cover with a upside down lid” and popoki “to turn something upside down” through said Proto-Oceanic root.


punga

From Proto-Polynesian *puŋa (“coral rock”) (compare with Hawaiian puna (“coral, lime, plaster, calcium”), Tahitian puʻa (“coral, lime”), Tongan punga, Samoan puga) from Proto-Oceanic *buŋa (“white, porous coral or growth”) (compare with Fijian vuga), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buŋa ni batu (“coral sponge, lit. 'stone bloom'”) extension of Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buŋa (“flower”) (compare with Malay bunga and bunga karang (“sponge”)). Doublet of pungapunga and pua.


hoa

From Proto-Polynesian *foa (“make a path”).


tipu

From Proto-Polynesian *tupu, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tubuq, from Proto-Austronesian *Cubuq (compare Malay tumbuh).

(Eastern dialect) Alternative form of tupu (“to grow”)


pihi

From Proto-Polynesian *pihi₁ (cognate with Samoan pipisi “to gush, to spout” and Tongan pihi “to squirt”) from Proto-Oceanic *pisi ~ *bʷisi “to spurt out, to fart”, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *picik “to splash, to spray, to sprinkle” (compare with Malay percik and recik “to splatter, to spray”).


teka

From Proto-Oceanic *tibʷaŋ (compare with Tahitian teʻa).

to drive something forward, to urge, to impel


miti

From Proto-Polynesian *miti (“to suck, to lick up” – compare with Rarotongan miti also meaning “salt” ~ mitimiti; Tahitian miti ~ mitimiti; Samoan miti “to suck, to kiss”; Tongan misimisi “to suck”) from Proto-Oceanic *miti ~ *misi from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *misik.
For sense of undertow, compare also with Tahitian miti which refers to the nearshore waters.

to swash, to touch the surface of a water


kini

From Proto-Polynesian *kinit (compare with Hawaiian ʻiniki “to pinch, to nip; to be sharp and piercing [intransitive]”, and ʻiniʻini “to pinch [transitive]”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kinit.
Compare with Malay cubit for similar broadening as “pinchable amount”.

to pinch, to nip (with fingers, claws etc)


rona

to bind, to tie together, to confine or tie down with cord


kō

From Proto-Polynesian *koho (compare with Hawaiian ʻōʻō and ʻō, Tahitian ʻō and Samoan ʻoso) from Proto-Oceanic *kojom (“husking stick”).

to stab, to thrust, alternative form of kōkō

(intransitive) (of the lips) to pout out of displeasure


kamo

From Proto-Polynesian *kamo (“to blink”). Cognate with Hawaiian ʻamo (“to wink”).


nānā

From Proto-Polynesian *naa-naa (“to look at something”). Doublet of nana.


anga

From Proto-Polynesian *aŋa (“habit, custom, way of acting”). Cognate with Samoan aga (“conduct”).


patu

From Proto-Polynesian *patu (“to strike”).


tuke

From Proto-Polynesian *tuke₂ (“angle” – compare with Tahitian tuʻe “to kick, to impel” and tuʻetuʻe “to oppose, to resist”, Mangarevan tuke “elbow, heel”, Tongan tuke “knuckle”)


kumu

head

kumu (passive kumua or kumungia or kumutia)

kumua (passive)
kumungia (passive)
kumutia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *kumu (compare with Tahitian ʻumu “to squeeze juice out [of a fruit]”) ~ *kumi(t) (Tahitian ʻuʻumi “to clench one's fist”, Samoan ʻūmia, Tongan kūmia) from Proto-Oceanic *gumu(t) or *gogom. Ultimately from Proto-Austronesian *gemgem (“fist; hold in the fist” – compare with Malay genggam, Ilocano gemgém).

to clench, to close one's hand tightly into a fist

to hold or carry an object with fingers closing around it


karo

From Proto-Polynesian *kalo₃ from Proto-Oceanic *kalo or *karut (“to scratch with fingernails, to claw at”) (compare with Fijian kadru, also doublet of raku) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *garut (“rub against, scrape, scratch”) (compare with Malay garut (“to grind against one another, to scrape”) and garu “to scratch”). Doublet of raku.

cog

to pick out or scoop something out of a hole


waha

From Proto-Polynesian *waha (compare with Hawaiian waha , Rapa Nui haha, and Tahitian vaha) from Proto-Oceanic *fafa (compare Samoan fafa) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *baba₁ (compare with Malay bawa (“to carry, to bring (in general)”), Tagalog babá (“to piggyback”))


kawe

From Proto-Polynesian *kawe₂ (compare with Samoan ʻave).

(physics) to conduct (heat, energy etc.)


niko

From Proto-Polynesian *niko (“to go in circles” — compare with Samoan niʻo “to twirl”) variant of *liko₂ (compare with Samoan liʻo “circle” and liʻoliʻo “to encircle, to surround”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *likaw (“curve, bend, winding” — compare with Malay liku, lekuk and lengkuk “bend, curve (of roads, rivers)”, Iban likaw, Central Dusun hikou, and Tagalog líkaw)


ranu

Related to nanu (“mixed, jumbled, indistinct, incoherent”).


kanga

head

kanga (passive kangaa or kangahia or kangaia)

kangaa (passive)
kangahia (passive)
kangaia (passive)

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *kaŋa (“put a curse on someone”).


wiri

From Proto-Polynesian *wili. Cognates include Hawaiian wili and Samoan vili.


whakapapa

From whaka- (“to make”) + papa (“flat and broad; a layer”).
Compare with Malay lapisan “layer, stratum (of society)” for similar semantic broadening.

af

To recite in order (genealogies, legends, etc.)


kape

Cognate of Samoan ʻape “to pluck out” and ʻapeʻape “to peel the skin or a boil”, Tongan kapeʻi “to pull away a splinter, to uncover a lid”; related to kapi “to close”, Tahitian ʻapi “to fold”, plus Tongan kofi “tongs” and Samoan iʻofi “ibid.” – altogether from Proto-Polynesian *kapi “to hold firmly between” from Proto-Oceanic *kapit “to hold stones or lid of an earth oven” ultimately Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qapit. Likely also doublet of pīnohi, see there for details.
Sense of crescent and eyebrow from its singular bent shape.

to pluck or pick out (items from an earth oven with sticks etc)


piro

From Proto-Oceanic *pilo (compare with Samoan piro, Tahitian piro “dirty, smelly” and Hawaiian pilo (“foul odour, halitosis, pollution”)) monophthongized from pirau (“to decay, to fester”).


kune

From Proto-Oceanic *kune – compare with Tuamotuan ʻune, Fijian kune “to appear, to be visible” and kunekune “to conceive a child”

(intransitive) to swell (of fruit, the body)


umere

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *umele (compare with Hawaiian mele).


hiko

Compare with Maori uira, Hawaiian uila, Tahitian uira and Tongan ʻuhila for semantic extension into "electricity".

E hiko te uira, e rarapa i te rangi / Ko te tohu o te mate, i te hoa ka wehea...

1827, “He Tangi Amuamu”, Humai (lyrics):

Lightning flashes, darting across the sky / A sign of death, to the lover now separated...


kaha

From Proto-Polynesian *kafa (“strong”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kabal (“invunerable” – compare with Malay kebal).


raku

From Proto-Oceanic *kalo₃ or *karut (“to scratch with fingernails, to claw at”) (compare with Fijian kadru) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *garut (“rub against, scrape, scratch”) (compare with Malay garut (“to grind against one another, to scrape”) and garu “to scratch”).


haere

Kei te haere au ki te mahi i tēnei rā.


natu

From Proto-Oceanic *natu (“to knead, to mix with water” – compare with Tahitian natu “to squish with one's hands, to pinch [esp. playfully]”, Tongan natu “to knead”, Fijian natu “to grind with mortar and pestle”).


mahi

From Proto-Polynesian *mafi (“strong, powerful, energetic, hardworking”).

der

to work, do, perform, make, accomplish, practise, raise (money)


ī

Cognate with Hawaiian ʻīʻī (“rancid, sour, moldy”).


ū

to strike home, to hit the mark (as of a weapon)

to land (as of a vessel), to come ashore


aniani

From hanihani reduplicating hani from Proto-Oceanic *hani (“to strip off leaves, to clear land, to cut one's hair” – compare with Tongan hanihani and hani)


hikoi

Maori: hīkoi


wakuwaku

Reduplication of waku, compare with Tahitian vaʻuvaʻu.


pakari

Kua pakari te tīhi.


humuhumu

Ka humuhumu Tangaroa tātou!
Ka humuhumu nga tamariki ō Tangaroa!

2021, “Tangaroa”, performed by Alien Weaponry:

We amputate the limbs of Tangaroa
The children of Tangaroa are being ripped apart


wae

From Proto-Polynesian *wase (“to divide, separate” – compare with Tahitian vae, Tongan vae, Samoan vae), from Proto-Oceanic *wase (compare with Fijian vase).


hoko

From Proto-Polynesian *soko₂ (“to exchange”); compare with Tahitian hoʻo (“to trade”) and Hawaiian hō (“to give, transfer, supply”)

cog

hoko mai: to buy, to purchase

hoko atu: to sell


ātaahua

to be beautiful, pretty, good-looking, gorgeous, lovely


huri

From Proto-Polynesian *fuli (“to turn round” – compare with Hawaiian huli, Tahitian huri, Samoan fuli, Tongan fuli) from Proto-Oceanic *buliŋ (“to roll”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *puliŋ (“to rotate”)


ahu

head

ahu (passive ahua or ahungia or ahuria or ahutia)

ahua (passive)
ahungia (passive)
ahuria (passive)
ahutia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *afu (“offspring”).


ahu

From Proto-Polynesian *qafu (“heap up; mound”).


noho

From Proto-Polynesian *nofo. For sense of residing/dwelling, compare with also Malay duduk (“to sit” and “to live/reside”) and Tagalog luklok (“to sit” and “to take office/chair”).


hinga

From Proto-Polynesian *siŋa (compare with Hawaiian hina, Tongan hinga, Tahitian hiʻa)


ruru

From Proto-Oceanic *ruru (compare with Hawaiian lulu, Tahitian ruru, Tongan ū) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *duŋduŋ “sheltered” – compare with similar verbs across the Austronesian family with a *-duŋ ending like *tuduŋ (“head cover” – compare with Tagalog turong, Malay tudung) and *linduŋ (compare with Malay lindung “to protect”).


auahi

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *ahuafi merging Proto-Polynesian *qahu (from Proto-Oceanic *qasu from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qasu (“smoke; fume; steam”)) and *afi.


huke

From Proto-Oceanic *pukes (compare with Tahitian huʻe, Tongan fuke, Samoan fuʻe) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bu(ŋ)kas (“to uncover” – compare with Malay bungkas “to tip upside from the bottom, to uproot”, Tagalog bukas “to open”).


tuitui

Reduplication of tui from Proto-Polynesian *tui (“to thread on string”) from Proto-Oceanic *tuRi₁ from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tuhuR (“to string together”) (compare with Tagalog tuhog). Proto-Polynesian form might also be influenced by Proto-Oceanic *tuRi-tuRi (“candlenut”), in which the canoe plant died out in New Zealand's cold climate – compare relationship of Tahitian tui and tutuʻi, Hawaiian kui and kukui.


kī

Inherited from East Polynesian. Compare Rapa Nui kī, Hawaiian ʻī, Tahitian i.

to say, speak, express, utter, call, mention, tell, designate


wānanga

head

wānanga (passive wānangahia or wānangatia)

wānangahia (passive)
wānangatia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *fanaŋa (“story for entertainment, short repetitive chant”) – compare with Rapa Nui vānanga (“language”), Hawaiian wānana and wālana (both “prophecy, prediction”), Tahitian vānaʻa (“knowledge”) and vanaʻa (“lore, story”).


neke

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *neke (“to be carried by water, to float, to drift”). Doublet of nekeneke.


nanu

Free variation of ranu, see there for more details.

to express disastifaction, to mumble or murmur


pārara

From Proto-Central Pacific *paa-rara (“to toast, to expose to direct heat” – Tahitian pārara “to roast meats, to soften banana leaves over an open flame”) related to Proto-Polynesian *rara from Proto-Oceanic *raraŋ (compare with Fijian dandang (“to warm up in front of a fire”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *daŋdaŋ (compare with Malay dandang “boiler”, Tagalog dangdang and darang (“to roast on hot coals”)


whānau

Proto-Polynesian *faanau ~ *fānau “to give birth” (compare with Hawaiian hānau and Tokelauan fānau) from Proto-Oceanic *pañaʀu from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pañaʀu. Compare also parallels between Malay beranak ~ peranak “to give birth” with peranakan “womb; people of mixed descent” in the same language family with regards to sense of kinship.


whenu

From Proto-Polynesian *fenu (“to twist; rope, cord”).


ripo

From Proto-Polynesian *lipo (compare with Tahitian riporipo, Hawaiian lipo and lipolipo) from Proto-Polynesian *lepu (“agitated, rough (of water)”). Doublet of riporipo.


ngāwhā

From Proto-Polynesian *ŋafaqa (“to burst open, to crack”) (compare with Tahitian ʻafā, Tongan ngafa, Hawaiian nahā).


pātai

head

pātai (passive pātaia or pātaihia or pātaingia or pātairia)

pātaia (passive)
pātaihia (passive)
pātaingia (passive)
pātairia (passive)

Me i 'āe' mai koe ki te pātai te Wāhanga A, e pātai ana mehemea he Māori koe nō Aotearoa, he uri rānei nō tētahi Māori nō Aotearoa [...]

2013, New Zealand Government, Information for enrolling (pamphlet)

If you answered 'yes' to the question in Section A asking whether you are a New Zealand Maori or a descendant of New Zealand Maori …


pona

From sense of node/knot in Etymology 1.
Sense of 'portable' is semantic extension < 'sachet' < 'tied item' < 'knot of rope'


tokotoko

Reduplication of toko (see Hawaiian koʻokoʻo) fron Proto-Polynesian *toko (compare with Samoan toʻo, Hawaiian koʻo) from Proto-Oceanic *tokon, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *təkən (“bamboo punting pole, to press downward”) (compare with Malay tekan, Tagalog tikin).

inh

to walk with a cane or crutch, to crutch


kōkō

Reduplication of kō “digging stick also used as a weapon”

to tattoo esp. of the moko with special chisel tools (uhi)


auau

From Proto-Polynesian *(q)au (“howl, bark”).


hoka

From Proto-Oceanic *soka “to pierce, to stab” (compare with Tongan hoka, Samoan soʻa and Fijian coka).


tika

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *tika (“straight, correct, true”).


piupiu

to swing or sway to-and-fro, to oscillate


karakia

to recite ritual chants or a prayer, to say grace, to pray


whakatewhatewha

whaka- + tewhatewha, the second being tewha being doubled.


whio

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *fio (“whistle”). Cognate with Hawaiian hio (“blow in gusts”), Tahitian hio (“whistle”).


rārangi

Rārangitia ngā kupu kei raro iho nei i raro i te whakaupoko e tika ana.

List the words below under the appropriate heading.

E tāwhirowhiro ana ngā rau o ngā pūrere kapohau e rārangi mai ana i te pae maunga.

The blades of the wind turbines lined up along the mountain range are spinning.


whiriwhiri

Reduplication of whiri (“to choose, to decide”).


whiriwhiri

Reduplication of whiri (“to weave, plait”).


rehurehu

Reduplication (thus doublet) of rehu from Proto-Polynesian *rapuR (“hearth”) (compare with Hawaiian lehu (“ash”); Tahitian rehu (“ash, grey colour”) and rehurehu (“twilight”); Tongan efu (“dust, human remains”); Samoan lefulefu) from Proto-Oceanic *dapuR (“hearth”) (compare with Fijian dravu (“ashes”) and dravuloa (“grey”)), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *dapuR (“hearth”) (compare with Malay dapur (“kitchen”) and Tagalog dapog (“open fire”)). Also doublet of nehu and nehunehu.


ārahi

to herald (as the appearance of a particular star signals the beginning of a particular month)


whakataurekareka

whaka- (“to make”) + taurekareka (“a slave”)


kokomo

Partial reduplication of komo (“to insert”) from Proto-Polynesian *komo₁ (compare with Hawaiian ʻomo (“lid, cover”)).


whakahohe

to enable (to activate a function of an electronic or mechanical device)


tiaki

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *tiaki (“to guard, to wait for”). Cognate with Hawaiian kiaʻi (“guard”).


pōti

head

pōti (passive pōtihia or pōtingia or pōtiria or pōtitia)

pōtihia (passive)
pōtingia (passive)
pōtiria (passive)
pōtitia (passive)


makariri

From Proto-Polynesian *makalili (compare with Tahitian maʻariri, Samoan maʻalili) from to Proto-Oceanic *makaridriŋ affixing *ridriŋ from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *diŋin (compare with Tetum malirin, Malay dingin).


whana

From Proto-Polynesian (compare with Tahitian fana, Tongan fana, and Samoan fana), from Proto-Oceanic (compare with Fijian vana), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *panaq (compare with Malay panah “arrow”, Tagalog pana “bow”), from Proto-Austronesian *panaq.

to spring back, to recoil, to kick backwards


whakaraka

From whaka- + raka. Second element is from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laŋkaq (compare Tongan laka, Malay langkah).

Whakaakona te tamaiti kia whakaraka.


nguru

From Proto-Polynesian *ŋulu “to grunt, to rumble” (compare with Rarotongan nguru and ngunguru “to grunt [of pigs], to growl [of dogs]”, Tahitian ʻuʻuru “to growl [of dogs]”, Tongan ngungulu, Samoan gugulu “to groan, to roar”) from Proto-Oceanic *ŋuru “to grunt, to growl” from Proto-Oceanic *kuru “thunder” (compare with Fijian kuru) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kuʀuq ~ *guʀuq “ibid.” (compare with Malay guruh).


whai

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *fai (“to follow”).


whai

Kei te whai au te pene.


heke

From Proto-Polynesian *seke (compare with Tongan heke (“slippery, to slide”); Tahitian heʻe and paheʻe (“to slide”); South Marquesan heʻe and North Marquesan heke; South Marquesan tiheʻe and North Marquesan tiheke; Hawaiian heʻe (“to melt, to flow”)) Doublet of hekeheke.


mātau

From Proto-Polynesian *ma(a)taqu, from Proto-Oceanic [Term?], from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taqu (compare with Malay tahu (“to know”)), from Proto-Austronesian *Caqu.

Kāore i pērā rawa te tokomaha o te hunga kaiako he mātau ki te reo Māori, he mātau hoki ki te mahi whakaako.

There weren't as many teachers who knew the Māori language and also knew how to teach.


wharau

From Proto-Polynesian, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paʀaqu (compare Tongan folau).


whakarongo

Whakarongo mai ki te tangi o nga pū i runga i te taumata a Pukehinahina

2018, “Rū Ana Te Whenua”, performed by Alien Weaponry:

Listen to the roar of the guns on the hilltop of Pukehinahina


rewa

From Proto-Polynesian, from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qaliwat (compare Malay lewat).


mānu

From Proto-Polynesian *maqanu, from Proto-Oceanic *maqañur, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(ma-)qañud, from Proto-Austronesian *qañud (compare Malay hanyut).

Ka ahiahi ka kite rāua i tētahi tohorā, ko te upoko i mā, e mānu haere ana i te taha o tō rāua poti, mōhio tonu ake rāua he raiti wēra.

When it was evening they saw a whale and its head was white and it was floating along beside their boat, so they knew that it was a right whale.

He roa te ua ka mānu te whenua.

The rain went on for a long time and the land was flooded.


kōrero

Cognate with Tahitian orero and Hawaiian ʻōlelo.


rawe

to wrap around, to coil around (of clothing, cords, ropes etc.)


kapekape

Reduplication of kape (“pluck out [stones from the earth oven etc]”).
Sense of stirfrying from the use of chopsticks (kakape) for cooking, kakape itself a partial reduplication of kape.

reduplication

pluck out 􂀿stones from the earth oven etc􂁀


tukituki

to batter, to pound, to pulverize, to ram


tatau

From Proto-Polynesian *tatau₃ – compare with Rarotongan tatau, Samoan tatau, Tongan tatau.


tatau

head

tatau (passive tatauria or tatauhia or tataungia)

tatauria (passive)
tatauhia (passive)
tataungia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *tau₃ (compare with Tahitian tatau) – could also be partial reduplication of tau (compare with Samoan tau “to count”).


hopu

to record (make an audio or video recording of)

Ko te hīnaki aka anō te mea pai ake ki te hopu tuna, i tā te Pākehā.

An eel pot made from vines is a better one to catch eels than that of the Pākehā.

Matikuku aneane, ka hopu ki ahau (Ki ahau!)

2021, “Hatupatu”, performed by Alien Weaponry:


hōkaka

Ko te mea ia i tino hōkaka ai ia, ka haere ia ki a Te Whatuiāpiti, hei hoa mōna.

What she earnestly desired was to go to Te Whatuiāpiti to be his wife.


mārena

He tāne mārena ahau.


whakawahine

From whaka- + wahine (“woman”). Cognate with Samoan fa'afafine.


purupuru

Reduplication (thus doublet) of puru from Proto-Oceanic *pulu (“coconut husk”) (compare with Fijian bulu and Hawaiian pulu "coconut husk") from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bulut. Sense of "plug" is a semantic extension from the lack of coconuts found naturally in New Zealand.


wahawaha

Reduplication of waha from Proto-Polynesian *waha (compare with Hawaiian waha, Rapa Nui haha, and Tahitian vaha) from Proto-Oceanic *fafa (compare Samoan fafa) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *baba₁ (compare with Malay bawa (“to carry, to bring (in general)”), Tagalog babá (“to piggyback”))


koutu

From Proto-Central-Eastern-Polynesian *koo-utu "promontory", from Proto-Polynesian *ʔutu (“promontory”).

(figurative) to stand out, to be conspicuous


manako

From Proto-Polynesian *manako (compare with Rarotongan manako “to think, to consider”, Tahitian manaʻo “to think, to reflect”, Tongan manako “to desire”)


pakini

to pinch (to squeeze a small amount of skin)


pokai

From Proto-Polynesian *pookai (compare with Tahitian pōʻai)


māhū

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *maafuu (“unenergetic, not passionate”). Cognate with Hawaiian māhū,


tāhono

tā- (“causative prefix”) + hono (“to join”)


pūmanawa

pū- (“origin, centre”) + manawa (“heart”)


whakatōpū kongakonga

whakatōpū (“amalgamate”) + kongakonga (“fragment, shrapnel”)


whakatōpū

to amalgamate, consolidate, assemble (in a group)


tōpū

tō (“to drag, pull”) + pū (“centre, origin”)


makere

To drop out of an event (such as school)


parakuihi

Borrowed from English breakfast or more likely English brekkie.


tūmau

From Proto-Polynesian *tuqu-maqu. By surface analysis, tū (“to stand”) + mau (“fixed”). Cognates include Hawaiian kūmau and Samoan tūmau.


pōpō

From Proto-Polynesian *poo-poo (compare with Hawaiian pōpō, Tahitian pōpō (“ball, bubble”)).


kākāriki

kākā (“parrot”) + riki (“small”)
Sense of colour from description of its feathers.


penapena

to save up (accumulate money for a specific purpose)


uwhi

From Proto-Polynesian *qufi (“cover up”). Cognate with Hawaiian uhi (“covering”), Sanskrit ufi (“cover”).


rāhui

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *rafui, from a suffixed form of Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *lafu (“prohibit”).


whao

From Proto-Polynesian *faqo (compare with Hawaiian hao (“iron, horn”), Tahitian fao (“tip, scissors”), Tuamotuan pao), from Proto-Oceanic *paqot (compare with Fijian ivako (“nail”)), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paqət (“chisel”) (compare with Malay pahat, Tagalog paet)


whao

head

whao (hia, -na, -ngia, -ria, -whia, -whina)

-ngia (-na)
-ria (-na)
-whia (-na)
-whina (-na)

From Proto-Polynesian *fao, from Proto-Oceanic *pasok, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pasək, from Proto-Austronesian *pasək (“wooden nail; to drive in”).


roha

From Proto-Polynesian *rofa (compare with Tongan ofa), from Proto-Oceanic *ropa, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *dəpah (compare wth Tetum depa, Malay depa, Iban depa, Cebuano dupá, Tongan dipá).

Kei te wini o waenganui ko te Karaiti e tū ana e roha ana ngā ringaringa, e karanga ana, "Haere mai ki Ahau." Kei muri i a ia he hipi e kaikai ana.

In the middle window Christ is standing with his arms stretched out, calling, "Come to Me." Behind him sheep are grazing.

to spread out, to extend out, to stretch out


kārohirohi

Kārohirohi ana te moana, he marino tonu hoki.

The sea shimmered and it was quite calm.


ārohirohi

to turn round and round; to feel giddiness.


whakarangona

[fɐkɐˈɾɐŋɔnɐ]

passive of whakarongo; to be listened to


atawhai

head

atawhai (passive atawhaitia or atawhaingia)

atawhaitia (passive)
atawhaingia (passive)


pōhēhē

Partial reduplication of pohe “blind, stupid, dull”.


whiti

From Proto-Polynesian *fiti (“fillip, turn over”), from Proto-Austronesian *bitik (“jerk up”).

inh

(transitive) to exchange, transfer, swap

(intransitive) to cross over to reach the other side


whiti

head

whiti (passive whitikina or whitingia or whitia or whitikia)

whitikina (passive)
whitingia (passive)
whitia (passive)
whitikia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *fiti (“to rise (of the sun, etc.)”). Cognate with Hawaiian hiki, Tahitian hiti.


anea

From ane “termite; to rot, to decay, to destroy” from Proto-Polynesian *ane “termite”. Compare also with hane “rotten”.

(intransitive) to be devastated, to be destroyed,

(intransitive) to ravage, to ruin (in wars etc.)


inoi

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *noqi (“to ask for something, solicit”).


pēhea

I pēhea te pēne?

(interrogative) how?; of what sort?; in what way?


pēhea

(interrogative) what way?; in which direction?


matomato

Reduplication of mato (“deep swamp, deep valley”).


rongoā

Possibly from Proto-Polynesian *logoaqa (“noisy”)


ārai

head

ārai (passive āraia or āraitia or āraihia)

āraia (passive)
āraitia (passive)
āraihia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian [Term?]. Compare Hawaiian ālai (“screen; obstruction, hindrance”).

cog

to prevent; to forbid; to prohibit; to obstruct; to hinder


hukapapa

Derived from huka (“snow”) + papa (“rump”).


hī ika

He toa kē ake au i a rātau ki te hī ika.

I was more skilful than them at line fishing.


tangiweto

From tangi (“to cry”) + weto (“extinguished”).


māngoingoi

head

māngoingoi (passive māngoingoihia or māngoingoitia)

māngoingoihia (passive)
māngoingoitia (passive)

(intransitive) to fish with a line from the shore


tino mate nui ki

He tangata i tino mate nui ki ngā mahi tākaro, ka riro nei ia hei kanohi mō Ākarana mō ngā tākaro poiuka, poikōpiko nei hoki.

He had a passion for sport, representing Auckland at softball and table tennis.


makimaki

Reduplication of maki, ultimately from Proto-Polynesian *masaki, from Proto-Oceanic *masakit, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *sakit.


kōhue

Ka huri ngā wāhine ki te kōhue i ngā kōura.

The women set about boiling the crayfish.


kōhua

From kohu “oven” from Proto-Polynesian *kofu “to wrap food in leaves” influenced by a homograph with the sense of “concave, hollow” from a different root; sense of pot is modern evolution from “oven for cooking” with influence from kōhue.


utuutu

to fill a container (with liquid) a number of times


ātea

From Proto-Polynesian *qaatea (“clear, unobstructed”). Cognate with Hawaiian ākea (“spacious”).

inh

(stative) to be clear, to be unobstructed


aukati

head

aukati (passive aukatia or aukatihia or aukatingia)

aukatia (passive)
aukatihia (passive)
aukatingia (passive)


auporo

auporo (passive auporoa or auporohia or auporongia or auporotia)

auporoa (passive)
auporohia (passive)
auporongia (passive)
auporotia (passive)


autaia

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.


ehu

From Proto-Polynesian *efu (“dusty, dirty, unclear”), from Proto-Oceanic *qapu (“ashes, dust”), from Proto-Austronesian *qabu (“ashes, cinders, dust”).


hāro

From Proto-Oceanic *saqalo — compare with Samoan saʻalo “to scrape, to grate (of coconuts), scraper, coconut grater” and sālo “to smoothen a surface”, Tongan haʻalo “to smooth clean a surface, to scrape away outer layer of bark or leaf for its inner fibres”.

to scutch i.e. remove waxy outer layer of harakeke (Phormium tenax) leaves exposing inner fibres (muka) to be woven as fabric


herehere

Ā he mea herehere ngā waewae o Ihaka e Rīhari ki te mekameka hiriwa.

And Richard bound Issac’s feet in silver chains.

to tie up (a number of times), bind, tie, shackle, hobble.


heuheu

Reduplication of heu, ultimately from Proto-Polynesian *seu (compare with Tahitian heu, Tongan heu (“to ward off, to stir, to rake”), Samoan seu (“to ward off”), Fijian seu (“to scratch, to paw, to scoop”).


ruruku

Māu e ruruku āku hokonga tēnā koa.

I rurukutia ngā hokonga e ia.


turaki

From Proto-Polynesian *tulaki (compare with Tahitian turaʻi, Samoan tulei and Tongan tulaki), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tulak (compare with Malay tolak, Iban tulak “to push, to reject”, Tagalog túlak).


uaua

Inherited from Proto-Polynesian *uaua (“tendon, vein” – Tahitian uaua, Tongan uoua and Samoan uaua) reduplicating *ua (likely to avoid conflation with ua meaning “rain”) from Proto-Oceanic *uʀat, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *uʀat (“blood vessel, sinew, tendon” – compare with Malay urat “vein” and otot “muscle”, Cebuano ugat, Tagalog ugát).


tāwhiri

From Proto-Polynesian *taafiri (compare with Tahitian tāhiri and tāhirihiri “fan”, Hawaiian kāhili “ceremonial staff or regalia”). Doublet of tāhiri.


uira

From Proto-Polynesian *quhila (compare with Hawaiian uila, Tahitian uira, Tongan ʻuhila, Samoan uila), from Proto-Oceanic *qusila (compare with Fijian cila (“to shine”)), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *silaq (“outpouring or beam of light”) related to Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qusilak (“lightning”). Compare with Maori hiko aside from Hawaiian uila, Tahitian uira and Tongan ʻuhila for semantic extension into "electricity".


pānui

He tika anō kia pānui utu kore mātou i taua pānui a Te Makeparena rāua ko Te Wiremu, he mea hoki, kua pānui utu kore ētahi o ngā nūpepa o ngā motu nei.

It's only right that we publish that notice of Messrs Macfarlane and Williams for no payment as some other newspapers of these islands have also published it free.

announce, notify, advertise, publish, proclaim


pānui

Māku e pānui ngā whakaritenga ki te rōpū.

I will read out the arrangements to the group.


mātakitaki

head

mātakitaki (passive mātakitakinia or mātakitakitia)

mātakitakinia (passive)
mātakitakitia (passive)

Ka mutu te harirū, ka haere a Tā Hōri Kerei ki te mātakitaki i te whare i mahia ai mōna e Te Mānihera.

When the handshakes had finished Sir George Grey went to inspect the house that Mr Maunsell had built for him.


whiu

From Proto-Polynesian *fiu (“to throw”). Cognate with Hawaiian hiu (“to throw”).

He nui anō ngā whare i whiua e te wai ki waenganui o ngā rori i ngā tāone ki reira taipū ai, ko ētahi ka toru ka whā rau iāri e kāhakina haeretia ana ka potapota noa.

Many houses were thrown into the middle of the roads by the water where they were piled up, some were carried three or four hundred yards and were smashed into pieces.

I te 3 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi o te Paraire, ka whiua te kaimata, te pēke o te parāoa, o te huka; te pouaka o te tī; te kau, te poaka, te hipi, te huahua tītī, kererū.

At 3 pm on Friday afternoon, the uncooked food, the bags of flour and sugar; the box of tea; the cow, the pig, the sheep, the preserved mutton birds and pigeons were presented.

I raro i te ture poropeihana, ka āhei kia whiua te Pākehā e hoatu ana, e hoko atu ana rānei, i te waipiro ki te Māori i taua takiwā.

Under the prohibition law Pākehā can be punished for supplying or selling alcohol to Māori in that region.

penalise, punish, lash, whip, chastise, flog


whiu

Kua whiu au i te kai.


whakataka

Nō te hokinga ki Ingarangi ka kite ia i te hē; kua aro atu te whakaaro o tōna teina, o Hoani, ki a Piripi o Parani kia whakataka i a Rīhari ki raro.

When he returned to England he saw the problem; his younger brother, John, had joined with Philip of France to depose Richard.

to drop, toss off, cause to fall, throw down, depose, overthrow, abdicate

I tukuna atu te waiata nei e Te Rauparaha ki a Te Āti Awa, i a ia e whakataka ana ki te pakanga.

Te Rauparaha sent this song to Te Āti Awa when he was preparing for battle.

Ka whakatakaia mai te taua a Waikato hei patu i te rangatira o Ngāti Ruanui.

Waikato assembled an army to kill the chief of Ngāti Ruanui.

Whakataka tō hau ki te tonga kia mākinakina i uta, kia mātaratara i tai.

Divert your wind to the south so that it is intensely cold inland and piercingly cold at sea.

E haere ana rātou, inamata e whakataka ana te ara konihi a Te Puhi-huia rātou ko ngā hoa.

They are going, but immediately Te Puhi-huia and her companions take a circuitous route along a path avoiding observation.

Kātahi te hokowhitu rā ka whakataka i taua whare.

Then that war-party surrounded the house.


ngaro

From Proto-Polynesian *ŋalo (“out of sight, disappeared, lost”). Cognate with Hawaiian nalo (“lost”), Tahitian aro (“lost, forgotten, unknown”).

cog

Ko te wāhi e tārewa ana ko ngā roto kei waenganui i ngā whenua, ko ngā parumoana, arā ko ngā whenua e pā ana ki ngā moana, e ngaromia ana e te tai pari. Ki te Māori he whenua ēnei nōna.

The part still unresolved relates to lakes within the land and the seabed, that is the land associated with the sea which is covered by the high tide. To the Māori this land belongs to them.

(stative) to be hidden, out of sight, covered, disappeared, absent

Ko ngā kai katoa i ngakia mō tēnei tau ngaromia katoatia e te wai, tanumia iho ki raro e te onepū i te mimititanga o ngā wai.

All the food that had been cultivated for this year was completely destroyed, buried in the sand when the water subsided.


pōwhiri

From pō- + whiri (“to twist, to wave”), related to tāwhiri (“to wave, to fan”)


moehewa

From moe (“sleep”) + hewa (“deluded”). Compare with Hawaiian moehewa.


pīrangi

Ka pīrangi au te kikokiko pākehā

2021, “Titokowaru”, performed by Alien Weaponry:

I crave the flesh of the Pakeha (white man)


aneane

Matikuku aneane, ka hopu ki ahau (Ki ahau!)


whakaaro

Kei te whakaaro a Pāpā taihoa au ka toa ki te kauhoe, koia au i tohua ai kia uru i ia raumati.

Dad's got this idea that I'm destined to be a great swimmer or something, so that's why he makes me join the team every summer.


pahū

From Proto-Polynesian *pasuu. Cognate with Hawaiian pahū.


māhī

From Proto-Polynesian *masi₁ (“product of fermentation” – compare with Tahitian mahi and Samoan masi “paste/meal of fermented breadfruit”) from Proto-Oceanic *maqasin (“salt” – compare with Tongan māsima, Samoan māsima and Fijian masima all “salt”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(ma-)qasin (compare with Malay masin “salty” and Tagalog asin “salt”). Vowel elongation compared to other neighbouring cognates likely to avoid confusion with mahi (“work”), semantic shift due to absence or long failed cultivation of breadfruit in New Zealand's temperate climate.


moī

Related to ī (“to turn sour”). Could also be from māī itself from māhī.


mangeo

From Proto-Polynesian *maŋeho (compare with Hawaiian maneʻo and Tahitian maʻeo) from Proto-Oceanic *maŋeso.


whakatangi

from whaka- (causative prefix) + tangi (“cry”). Compare Hawaiian hoʻokani (“to make cry”).


upoko

From Proto-Polynesian *qulu-poko (compare with Tahitian poʻo and Hawaiian poʻo) suffixed from *qulu (thus doublet of uru, see there for more details)


nekeneke

Reduplication of neke (“to shift, to move”)

reduplication

to move gradually, to edge, to manoeuvre


whakamataku

head

whakamataku (passive whakamatakutia or whakamatakuria)

whakamatakutia (passive)
whakamatakuria (passive)

From whaka- (causative prefix) + mataku (“be afraid”).


hākaro

From Proto-Polynesian *saa-kalo (compare with Tahitian hāʻaro and ʻaʻaro both “to scrape from a cavity”; Tongan hakalo (“to scrape [of coconuts], coconut grater”); Samoan saʻalo (“to scrape”)) affixing *kalo₃ from Proto-Oceanic *kalo or *karut (“to scratch with fingernails, to claw at”) (compare with Fijian kadru, also doublet of raku) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *garut (“rub against, scrape, scratch”) (compare with Malay garut (“to grind against one another, to scrape”) and garu “to scratch”).


ripi

From Proto-Polynesian *lipi (compare with Hawaiian lipi (“adze, edge”), Tongan lipi (“blade, flange”).

to skim or glide or ricochet off the water surface


whānako

From Proto-Polynesian *faanako (compare with Tahitian fānaʻo “chance, to have a chance”), from Proto-Oceanic *panako from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *panakaw affixed from *takaw (compare with Tagalog takaw “eager, greed, gluttony” and nakaw “stealing”)


whakaauau

From Proto-Polynesian *paka-qasu (compare with Tongan fakaʻahu, Samoan fāʻasu), from Proto-Oceanic *paka-qasu, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paka-qasu (compare with Cebuano paaso, Tagalog paasuhan) affixed of *qasu (compare with Cebuano aso, Tagalog aso); also reanalyzable as whaka- + au “smoke” in reduplication.


whakaauau

whaka- + reduplication of auau (“ro recur, to repeat”)


whiwhi

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *fifi (“entangled, confused” – compare with Tahitian fifi “chain”) related to Proto-Oceanic *pisi (“bind up, tie up, wind round, wrap” – compare with Tongan fihi “tangled, intricate, complicated”, Samoan fisi “to entwine” and Fijian vici “to bind, to coil”)


whiwhi

Likely from whai “to possess, to pursue, to lay hold of” via conflation with reduplicated from whaiwhai.


wharo

From Proto-Polynesian *faro (compare with Tahitian faro “to scoop, to lade”), from Proto-Oceanic *paros “to scrape” (compare with Fijian varo “file, rasp”). Doublet of haro.

to clear one's throat, to expectorate, to hawk


tiritiri

Reduplication of tiri “to scatter, to cast”.


tūtaki

From Proto-Polynesian *tuqu-taki (“to join together” – compare with Hawaiian kūkaʻi “rope fastening fish nets together”, Tongan tuʻutaki “to join or tie together”, Samoan tutaʻi “to join or knot together [of ropes]”), reanalyzable as tū + taki. Sense “to shut an enclosure, to block, to lock” is influenced by a homograph of taki “to stick or plant in the ground, to stake” and its reduplicate form takitaki “fence, palisade”.

to shut (of a enclosure), to block, to bolt


kōnatunatu

From kō- + natunatu, the latter a reduplication of natu “to mix, to stir”. Compare also with semantic evolution of Malay kacau meaning both “to mix” and “to agitate (of the heart, feelings)”.


whakananu

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whakananu (passive whakananua or whakananutia)

whakananua (passive)
whakananutia (passive)

Kua whakananu te reo inaianei, kua tapiritia ki te reo kihi...E kitea ana e ahau i roto i ngā pukapuka tuku mai ki Te Pipiwharauroa ētahi kupu a te pākehā kahore nei i mārama ki a au he aha rā te tikanga.

1903 December 1, Rēweti Kōhere, “Te Reo Maori”, in Te Pipiwharauroa, page 2:

[Māori] language is now contaminated, it has been made gibberish...I have seen letters sent to Te Pipiwharauroa with English [loan] words which I did not understand their meanings clearly.

to confuse, to make something incoherent or unintelligible


toretore

Reduplication of tore “strip; to strip, to shred”.


tapahi

From Proto-Polynesian *tapasi ~ *tapas-i (“to cut” – compare with Rarotongan tapaʻi “to chop down lengthwise, to cleave”, Tahitian tapahi “to cut or split a fruit into two, to cut down a tree”, Samoan tafa, Tongan tafa “to cut open (of boils), to incise, to carve”), from Proto-Oceanic *tapasi (compare with Fijian tava “to cut with a knife, to castrate”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tabas (compare with Malay tebas “to slash or cut down grasses, small plants”, Tagalog tabas “to cut fabric, paper”). Doublet of tapa.

to reap, to harvest (of crops like wheat)


nohopuku

noho (“to be still”) + puku (“stomach, appetite”).


taumarumaru

tau- (“reciprocal”) + marumaru reduplication of maru “shade, shadow, shelter”


taupatupatu

tau- (“reciprocal”) + patupatu reduplication of patu “to beat, to strike”

to compete or vie against one another for something


kapiti

Related to āpiti “to add, to attach, to supplement”, karapiti “to grapple, to strangle, to encircle”, and piti “to cling, to attach” ultimately from Proto-Oceanic *kapit-i “to grasp with tongs” affixing *kapit “tongs” (compare with kapi “to cover, to close” and Fijian kabi “to cling, to stick”) from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qapit “to pinch or squeeze” (compare Malay apit “to squeeze between two detached or separate surfaces”).
Compare with Rarotongan kāpiti “to join, to unite, pair, couple”, Tahitian piti “two, double, pair”, North Marquesan hāpiti “to tighten, to constrict, to press against”.

to join (of one separate thing to another)


riaki

Compare with Samoan liaʻi “to pull up, to uproot.


kukū

Variation of kuku with elongation of final vowel to avoid conflation with a homonym that means pincers, from Proto-Polynesian *kuku “mussel, Mytilidae” (compare with Rarotongan kuku, Samoan ʻuʻu, Tongan kuku) from Proto-Oceanic *kukur “to scrape, any mussel with shells used for this purpose” from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kuDkuD “to scrape; rasp; grate” (compare with Malay kukur “to scrape [of coconut], to scratch [of itches], to rasp”, Tagalog kudkod “grating (of coconut), shaving or scraping [of ice]”).


hākuku

to scrape (especially of Phormium leaves like harakeke prior to weaving)


onioni

to thrust or twerk one's hips in a sexually suggestive way

to make love, to copulate, to bed someone


okaoka

Reduplication of oka “to prick, to pierce”


kaniawhea

From kania (“saw back and forth”, verb).


whakanui

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whakanui (passive whakanuia or whakanuitia)

whakanuia (passive)
whakanuitia (passive)

From whaka- (causative prefix) + nui (“big; great”).


tioro

Cognate with Hawaiian kuolo (“resonate”).


hekerangi

From heke (“to descend”) + rangi (“sky”).


pātiki

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *paa-tiki (“flounder, flatfish”). Cognate with Hawaiian pākiʻi (“flatfish”).


māharahara

Reduplication of mahara (“to think about”).


mahara

Cognate with Tahitian mahara (“to recollect”).


whakamahara

From whaka- (causative prefix) + mahara (“to remember”).


mātaki

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *maata-ki (“visit, inspect, observe”), from *mata (“see, look”).


pūreirei

Partial reduplication of pūrei (“patchy”).


kōwhiti

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kōwhiti (passive kōwhitia or kōwhitingia)

kōwhitia (passive)
kōwhitingia (passive)
kōhiti (alternative)

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *koo-fiti, from *fiti (“spring up”). Cognate with Hawaiian ʻōhiki.


paoi

paoi (passive paoia or paoihia or paoitia)

paoia (passive)
paoihia (passive)
paoitia (passive)

From Proto-Polynesian *poʔoi (“pounded starchy food together with a sauce or gravy”), from Proto-Central Pacific *boxoi "a kind of pudding". Cognate with Hawaiian poi (“poi”), Fijian bokoi (“pudding”).


whakawhiti

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whakawhiti (passive whakawhitia or whakawhitihia or whakawhitingia)

whakawhitia (passive)
whakawhitihia (passive)
whakawhitingia (passive)

From whaka- (causative prefix) + whiti (“exchange”).


whakawhiti

From whaka- (causative prefix) + whiti (“shine”).


whakaora

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whakaora (passive whakaoratia or whakaorahia or whakaorangia)

whakaoratia (passive)
whakaorahia (passive)
whakaorangia (passive)

From whaka- (causative prefix) + ora (“be well”).


tāniko

From tā- (causative prefix) + niko (“to go in circles”).


pākati

From pā (“to block up”) + kati (“to block up”).


māhuruhuru

Reduplication of mahuru (“to be settled”).


tāmahana

From tā- (causative prefix) + mahana (“warm”).

af

(transitive) to warm up, to reheat, to recook


uwhiuwhi

Reduplication of uwhi (“spread over, cover”, verb).


whakauwhi

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whakauwhi (passive whakauwhia or whakauwhingia)

whakauwhia (passive)
whakauwhingia (passive)

From whaka- (causative prefix) + uwhi (“to cover”).


tāuwhiuwhi

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tāuwhiuwhi (passive tāuwhiuwhia or tāuwhiuwhitia)

tāuwhiuwhia (passive)
tāuwhiuwhitia (passive)

From tā- (causative prefix) + uwhiuwhi (“sprinkle, spray”)


tāpiri

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tāpiri (passive tāpiria or tāpirihia or tāpiritia)

tāpiria (passive)
tāpirihia (passive)
tāpiritia (passive)

From tā- (causative prefix) + piri (“to stick”).


kōpere

(transitive) to launch, to sling, to shoot


kōripo

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kōripo (passive kōripoa or kōripongia or kōripotia)

kōripoa (passive)
kōripongia (passive)
kōripotia (passive)


māpere

māperehia (passive)
māperetia (passive)
māpara (alternative)

From English marble. The sense of "ballot" comes from the outdated practice of voting by means of placing marbles in jars.


āwhio

(intransitive) to snake (go in a roundabout way)


tiketike

Reduplication of tike, from Proto-Polynesian *tike (“high, lofty”).


pātari

From Proto-Central Eastern Polynesian *paatari "entice, attract". Cognate with Hawaiian pākali (“to decoy fish”).


whakangākau

From whaka- (causative prefix) + ngākau (“heart, mind”).

af

(transitive) to show affection for, to take to heart


tārua

From tā- (causative prefix) + rua (“two”), also influenced by tā “to etch; to tattoo; to print”

to double something, to copy, to duplicate


whakahoki

From whaka- + hoki. Compare with similar parallels in the same language family e.g. connection between Malay balik “to flip or turn over; to return; again” and kembali “to return”


pāho

(intransitive) (of electronic signals) to be transmitted far, to air, to be broadcast


whakapāho

From whaka- + pāho, the latter from paho “to float”

to air, broadcast or transmit electronic signals or waves


paheke

From pa- + heke (“to fall”). Compare Hawaiian paheʻe (“slippery”).


pāhekeheke

Reduplication of paheke (“to skid”). Compare Hawaiian pāheʻeheʻe.


tinei

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *tina-qi – compare with Hawaiian kinai, Rarotongan tinai and tīnai, Tahitian tinai ~ tīnai, Samoan tinai and tinei

to extinguish, to put out (of a fire, light)