Now updated for CSW19. New words, if any, and new inflections of existing words, are shown in red.
ahuru | a small pink cod of SW Pacific water |
ahuruhuru | a small pink cod of SW Pacific water |
aka | a New Zealand vine |
akatea | a New Zealand vine with white flowers |
akeake | a New Zealand tree |
akiraho | a small New Zealand shrub with white flowers |
amokura | a white pelagian bird of tropical latitudes, with a red beak and red tail feathers |
araara | another name for TREVALLY, a kind of horse-mackerel |
ariki | the first-born male or female of a notable family |
aroha | love, compassion |
aruhe | the edible root of a New Zealand fern |
ataata | a grazing marine gastropod |
atua | a spirit or demon |
aua | the yellow-eye mullet |
aue | an exclamation of pain, distress or astonishment |
awato | the so-called vegetable caterpillar of New Zealand |
aweto | the so-called vegetable caterpillar of New Zealand |
awhato | the so-called vegetable caterpillar of New Zealand |
awheto | the so-called vegetable caterpillar of New Zealand |
haeremai | welcome |
haka | a ceremonial war-dance |
hakari | a ritual feast |
haku | the kingfish |
hangi | an open air cooking pit |
hapu | a subtribe |
hapuka | the groper |
hapuku | the groper |
harakeke | flax |
heitiki | a neck ornament of greenstone |
heketara | a small shrub that has flowers with white petals and yellow centres |
hikoi | to take part in a protest march: HIKOIS, HIKOIING, HIKOIED |
hinahina | a small, bushy white-barked tree of New Zealand, aka MAHOE |
hinau | a New Zealand tree |
hioi | a plant of the mint family |
hoha | bored, fed up |
hoka | red cod |
hongi | a traditional greeting, touching nose to nose: HONGIS, HONGIING, HONGIED |
horoeka | a New Zealand tree |
horokaka | a low-growing New Zealand plant with fleshy leaves and pink or white flowers |
horopito | a New Zealand plant |
houhere | a small evergreen New Zealand tree |
huhu | a New Zealand beetle |
hui | a social gathering |
huia | a New Zealand bird akin to a crow |
hupiro | a New Zealand name for STINKWOOD |
inanga | the New Zealand whitebait |
iwi | a tribe |
kahawai | a large marine fish of the perch family |
kahikatea | a tall New Zealand coniferous tree |
kahikatoa | a tall New Zealand coniferous tree |
kai | food, a meal |
kaik | = KAINGA, a village or small settlement |
kaika | = KAINGA, a village or small settlement |
kaikai | food, a feast |
kaikawaka | a small pyramid-shaped New Zealand conifer, aka PAHAUTEA |
kaikomako | a small New Zealand tree with white flowers and black fruit |
kainga | a village or small settlement |
kaka | a brownish-green New Zealand parrot |
kakapo | a ground-dwelling New Zealand parrot |
kakariki | a green-feathered New Zealand parrot |
kamahi | a tall New Zealand hardwood tree with pinkish flowers |
kamokamo | a kind of marrow found in New Zealand |
kanae | grey mullet |
kanuka | a New Zealand myrtaceous tree |
kapuka | a broadleaf tree |
karaka | a New Zealand tree with edible orange fruit |
karakia | a prayer |
karamu | a small New Zealand tree with glossy leaves and orange fruit |
karanga | a call or chant of welcome sung by a female elder; (verb) to sing a KARANGA: KARANGAS, KARANGAING, KARANGAED |
karearea | a New Zealand falcon |
karengo | an edible type of Pacific seaweed |
karo | a small New Zealand shrub or tree |
karoro | a large seagull with black feathers on its back |
karuhiruhi | the pied shag, Phalacrocorax varius, found in New Zealand |
katipo | a venomous black New Zealand spider |
kaumatua | a senior member of a tribe |
kaupapa | strategy, policy or cause |
kauri | a gum- and timber-yielding tree of New Zealand; its white timber |
kaury | a gum- and timber-yielding tree of New Zealand; its white timber |
kauru | the edible stem of the cabbage tree |
kawa | protocol or etiquette (in a Maori tribal meeting place) |
kawakawa | a New Zealand tree, aka PEPPERTREE |
kawanatanga | sovereignty |
kawau | the black shag |
kea | a large brownish-green parrot |
kehua | a ghost or spirit |
kekeno | a New Zealand fur seal |
kekerengu | a New Zealand bug |
kereru | a New Zealand pigeon |
kete | a basket woven from flax |
kiekie | a climbing bush plant of New Zealand |
kiore | a small brown rat native to New Zealand |
kiwi | a New Zealand Bird, aka APTERYX |
ko | a digging-stick |
koekoea | the long-tailed cuckoo of New Zealand |
koha | a gift or donation esp. of cash |
kohekohe | a New Zealand tree with large glossy leaves and reddish flower |
kohutuhutu | a New Zealand shrub with tasty purple berries |
kokako | a large dark grey wattled crow of New Zealand |
kokiri | the rough-skinned New Zealand triggerfish |
kokopu | any of several small freshwater fish of New Zealand |
kokowai | a type of clay used in decoration because of its reddish colour |
konaki koneke | a farm vehicle with runners at the front and wheels at the rear |
konini | the edible dark purple berry of the KOTUKUTUKU or tree fuchsia |
korari | a native New Zealand flax plant, aka CLADDIE |
korero | talk, conversation; (verb) to discuss: KOREROS, KOREROED, KOREROING |
korimako | the BELLBIRD |
koro | an elderly Maori man; a title of respect for an elderly Maori man |
koromiko | a flowering New Zealand shrub |
korora | the fairy penguin or little blue penguin |
korowai | a decorative woven cloak worn by a Maori chief |
koru | a stylized curved pattern used especially in carving |
kotahitanga | unity or solidarity |
kotare | a small greenish-blue kingfisher found in New Zealand and Australia |
kotuku | a kind of heron with brilliant white plumage, black legs, yellow eyes and bill |
kotukutuku | the tree fuchsia |
koura | a New Zealand freshwater crayfish |
kowhai | a New Zealand tree with golden flowers |
kowhaiwhai | a type of pattern in Maori decorative art |
kuia | a Maori female elder or elderly woman |
kuku | a large fruit-eating pigeon of New Zealand |
kumara | the sweet potato |
kumera | the sweet potato |
kumarahou | a New Zealand shrub |
kumikumi | a kind of marrow found in New Zealand |
kunekune | a feral wild dog |
kuri | a mongrel, an extinct native dog |
kutu | a body louse, a COOTIE |
mairehau | a small aromatic shrub of New Zealand |
mako | a kind of shark |
makutu | Polynesian witchcraft; (verb) to cast a spell on: MAKUTUS, MAKUTUING, MAKUTUED |
mamakau | a tall edible New Zealand tree fern |
mamako | a tall edible New Zealand tree fern |
mamaku | a tall edible New Zealand tree fern |
mana | an impersonal supernatural force |
manaia | a figure in Maori carving consisting of a human body and bird-like head |
manatu | a large flowering New Zealand deciduous shrub |
manawa | a mangrove |
mangeao | a small New Zealand tree with glossy leaves |
manoao | a shrub of the heath group |
manuhiri | a visitor to a MARAE |
manuka | an Australian and New Zealand tree of the myrtle family |
maomao | a New Zealand fish |
mapau | a small New Zealand tree with reddish bark |
marae | a meeting-place |
marari | the BUTTERFISH |
matagouri | a thorny bush of New Zealand, forming thickets in open country |
matai | a coniferous evergreen tree of New Zealand, aka black pine |
matata | a New Zealand bird, aka FERNBIRD |
matipo | a New Zealand shrub |
mauri | the soul |
meri | a war-club |
miha | a young fern frond that has not opened |
mihi | a ceremonial greeting; (verb) to greet ceremonially > MIHIS, MIHIING, MIHIED |
mingimingi | a type of New Zealand tree with white berries |
miro | a tall coniferous tree of New Zealand |
miromiro | a small New Zealand bird |
moa | an extinct ostrich-like New Zealand bird |
mohua | a small New Zealand bird with yellow head and breast |
moki | a New Zealand sea fish |
mokihi | a Maori raft |
moko | a system of tattooing |
mokomoko | a type of skink found in New Zealand |
mokopuna | a grandchild or young person |
monoao | a shrub of the heath group |
motu | a small reef island in the Pacific |
namu | a black New Zealand sandfly |
nanua | a New Zealand sea fish, aka MOKI |
neinei | a type of plant |
ngai | clan or tribe, as used before the names of certain Maori tribes |
ngaio | a New Zealand tree with white wood |
ngarara | a lizard found in New Zealand |
ngati | a tribe or clan |
nikau | a type of palm-tree |
ongaonga | a New Zealand nettle with a severe or fatal sting |
orihou | a small New Zealand tree |
pa pah | a hill fort |
pahautea | a small pyramid-shaped New Zealand conifer, aka KAIKAWAKA |
pakahi | acid land unfit for cultivation |
pakeha | a white man; a non-Polynesian citizen |
pakihi | an area of swampy infertile land |
pakirikiri | the blue cod |
pakoko | a small fish, aka BULLY |
papauma | a kind of tree |
parapara | a small New Zealand tree with very sticky fruits, aka Birdcatcher tree |
parera | a New Zealand duck with brown-edged grey feathers |
parore | a type of fish found around New Zealand and Australia |
pataka | a building on stilts, used to store provisions |
patiki | the New Zealand sand flounder or dab |
patu | a short club |
patutuki | the blue cod |
paua | a name for the abalone shell |
pawa | a name for the abalone shell |
pihoihoi | a variety of New Zealand pipit |
pikau | a rucksack |
piopio | a New Zealand thrush, thought to be extinct |
pipi | A type of edible shellfish |
pipiwharauroa | a Pacific migratory bird with metallic gold-green plumage |
piupiu | a skirt, traditionally made from strips of flax, worn by both men and women |
piwakawaka | a New Zealand bird, aka the Grey Fantail |
poaka | a New Zealand bird of the stilt family |
pohiri powhiri | a ceremony of welcome, esp to a marae |
pohutukawa | a New Zealand evergreen which bears clusters of red flowers in December and January; thus called the Christmas tree |
poi | a light ball swung on a string in traditional Maori dancing |
ponga | a tall tree-fern of New Zealand, with soft thick leaves |
porae | a large edible seafish of New Zealand waters |
porangi | crazy |
potae | a hat |
puckerood puckerooed | exhausted |
puha | sow-thistle |
puka | any tobacco plant having broad leaves |
pukatea | an aromatic New Zealand tree, valued for its high-quality timber |
pukeko | a New Zealand wading bird with bright plumage |
puku | the belly or stomach |
punga | a tall tree-fern of New Zealand, with soft thick leaves |
puriri | a timber tree of New Zealand, with red berries and glossy green leaves |
putangitangi | a New Zealand bird, aka paradise duck |
rahui | a Maori prohibition |
rangatira | a leader or chief |
rangatiratanga | the condition of being a Maori chief |
rangi | sky |
rangiora | an evergreen New Zealand shrub with large ovate leaves and small greenish-white flowers |
rata | any of several New Zealand trees of the myrtle family |
raupatu | confiscation of land |
raupo | the New Zealand bulrush |
rauriki | sow-thistle |
rawaru | the blue cod |
reo | a New Zealand language |
reperepe | the elephant fish, a large fish of the Pacific with a trunk-like snout |
reremai | the basking shark |
rewarewa | a New Zealand tree whose wood is used in furniture making |
rimu | a coniferous New Zealand tree |
riroriro | the grey warbler |
rohe | the territory controlled by a Maori tribal group. |
runanga | an assembly or council |
ruru | the BOOBOOK owl |
taiaha | a long-handled club with a sharp tip |
taihoa | hold on! |
takahe | an almost-extinct, New Zealand, brightly colored, flightless bird with a large bill |
tangi | a ceremony of mourning |
taniwha | a mythical monster, that lives in very deep water |
taonga | treasure |
tara | (Chambers) a variety of bracken found in New Zealand and Tasmania; (Collins) the white-fronted tern |
taraire | a type of New Zealand tree |
tarakihi | an Australasian foodfish |
terakihi | an Australasian foodfish |
taramea | a variety of New Zealand speargrass |
tauhinu | a poplar tree |
tauhou | a greenish-coloured tropical songbird, aka SILVEREYE |
tauiwi | non-Maori people of New Zealand. [Maori 'foreign race'] |
taupata | a New Zealand tree with shiny dark green leaves |
tawai | any of various species of Nothofagus, New Zealand beech |
tawhai | any of various species of Nothofagus, New Zealand beech |
tawheowheo | a type of azalea found in New Zealand |
tawhiri | a small New Zealand tree with wavy glossy dark green leaves |
tikanga | usage or custom |
tiki | to take a scenic tour round an area |
tipuna | an ancestor |
titipunamou | a kind of New Zealand wren |
tupuna | an ancestor |
tiriti | another name for the Treaty of Waitangi |
titarakura | a small freshwater fish of New Zealand |
titoki | a New Zealand tree |
toetoe | a tall reedlike grass of New Zealand |
toitoi | a tall reedlike grass of New Zealand |
toheroa | a kind of New Zealand shellfish |
tohunga | a priest, a wise man with healing powers |
tokotoko | a ceremonial carved Maori walking stick |
tomo | a shaft formed by the action of water on volcanic or limestone rock |
totara | a New Zealand timber tree, with reddish wood: mahogany pine |
tuatara | a primitive reptile found in New Zealand |
tuatera | a primitive reptile found in New Zealand |
tuatua | an edible marine bivalve mollusc of New Zealand |
tui | a New Zealand bird, a honey-guide |
tumatakuru | a native thorny shrub of New Zealand, aka Wild Irishman |
turangawaewae | the area that is a person's home |
umu | a type of oven |
utu | the settlement of a debt |
wahine | a Maori woman |
wai | water |
waiata | a Maori song |
wairua | a spirit or soul |
waka | a traditional Maori canoe, usu made of a hollowed tree trunk |
wakame | an kind of edible seaweed |
warehou | any of several edible New Zealand fish |
weka | a flightless rail of New Zealand |
wero | a challenge made by an armed Maori warrior to a visitor to a MARAE |
weta | a large New Zealand grasshopper |
whaikorero | formal speech-making as forming part of the ceremonies at a MARAE |
whakairo | the art of carving |
whakapapa | a family tree |
whanau | a family, esp an extended one |
whare | a house |
wharenui | a tall carved building used as a guesthouse |
wharepuni | a tall carved building used as a guesthouse |
whata | a building on stilts used for storing provision |
whenua | land |
whio | a New Zealand mountain duck with blue plumage |