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.

Noun

pākehā

1. New Zealander of European descent
2. foreigner, alien

Descendants

• English: pakeha

Verb

pākehā

1. to become pākehā

   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.