The following glossary attempts to give the meanings of various Maori words and word components, for the purpose of assisting to give meaning to place names within the Auckland region, which is the area of activity for Civic Trust Auckland.
It is important to note that most Maori words have several different meanings. This makes it quite difficult to ascertain the likely meaning of Maori place names. For example, in Auckland the place name Tamaki could be taken literally for its meaning battle, but it could also refer to a proper name. Another example is the Maori word component tau, normally taken to mean the number two.
The word component rua has several meanings and these can differ depending on whether it comes at the beginning or end of a word. From the Reed dictionary of New Zealand place names it can be seen that the term rua in the word Ruahine could possibly be translated to mean cave, while the same component has the normal meaning of two in the name Tararua, both examples from the southern North Island. Please read the dictionary for its interpretations of these two names, particularly the rather humorous explanation given to the meaning of Tararua.
It is unfortunate that the true meanings of many Maori place names in the Auckland region have been lost. Any English translation must be undertaken with care, taking into account the likely context in which the name may have been given in the first instance. This requires a close study of Maori history, language and culture.
The following glossary taken from a number of sources is very much a preliminary attempt and Civic Trust Auckland would be grateful to receive corrections and additional data, from knowledgeable sources.
Ahi
Fire
Ahu
To heap up
Ahua
Aka
Roots. Akaaka fibrous roots.
Akau
Coast
Akeake
Native tree
Aki
To smash
Ana
Cave
Ao
Cloud, day
Ara
Path, way
Arai
Screen, veil
Aria
Deep pool
Aro
Front, face
Aruhe
Fern root
Ata
Shadow
Atarau
Moon, Moonlight
Atea
Space
Atua
Au
Whirlpool, swirling current. See also ripo
Awa
Stream, river
Awaawa
Valley
Eke
Run aground, Crouch
Ha
Breath
Haka
Dance, usually a formalised war dance
Hapua
A hollow or pool
Hapuku
Fish, Groper
Hau
Wind, there are many other meanings
Hei
Necklace
Here
Knot, tie
Hihi
Stitch bird
Hiku
Fish's tail
Hinahina
Native tree
Hinau
Native tree
Hinu
Oil
Hiwi
Ridge
Hoe
Paddle
Hoki
Return
Homai
Give
Honi
Nibble, eat
Horo
Swallow, run, crumbling, landslip
Horopito
Native shrub
Hoteo
Calabash
Hou
Feather
Houhou
Native tree (five finger)
Hu
Secret
Hua
Fruit, offspring
Huhu
Native grub
Hui
Assembly
Huia
Native Bird (now extinct)
Huka
Foam, snow
Hunua
High country, infertile
Huri
Turn around, revolve, circle
Huru
Hair
Ihenga
Proper name. Nephew of Kahu-mata-moemoe
Ihu
Nose
Ika
Fish
Iti
Small
Iwi
Bone, tribe
Kaha
Net
Kahikatea
Native Tree
Kahiwi
Ridge
Kahu
Blue, garment
Kahu
Shortened version of Kahu-mata-moemoe, son of Tama-te-Kapua
