pākehā

See also: pakeha

Maori

Etymology

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.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpaːkɛhaː/

Noun

pākehā

1. New Zealander of European descent
   • 2021, “Titokowaru”, performed by Alien Weaponry:

     Ka pīrangi au te kikokiko pākehā

     I crave the flesh of the Pakeha

2. foreigner, alien

Descendants

• English: Pakeha

Verb

pākehā

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

   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.