Maori Place Names

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 13

Maori Place Names

Sir, —I quite agree with Mark Maxton that many Maori place names are misspelt ; also with the spelling and meanings of names in 'Wellington district, as quoted, except that of “Petone.” Mr. Maxton gays it (should be “Piti One,” according to “Early Wellington.” My interpretation is that it should be “Pito One” (“Sandy End,” of the harbour). Pito appears iu other place names, too, ®uch as “Horopito” (Sliding End). “Waiwhetu” is also mis-spelt, as “Waiwetu.” “Whetu’’ is star, and “wai” is water —literally “Star-water"; obviously from the reflection of stars in the water. “Poneke,” so often used, is the Maori interpretation of “Port Nicholson.” “Tinakori” is a combination of the Maori interpretation of the English word “dinner” and “kori” is a contraction of “kahore,” meaning “no.” As used in one word, it means “no dinner”.! I believe its origin is that when the track out to the pa at Karori was being widened, to allow of a cart track to be made for. the early settlers, some Maoris were given work on the road, and, thinking that. the “kai” would be provided at lunch time, they were much concerned to find there was no such provision, hence the sorrowful wail “Tinakori.” T can explain “M.M.’s” reference to “Mutarawn” being pronounced “Mata; rau.” It is from tbe habit of both Maori and pnkeha of clipping off the final sound of many words. “Matarawa” being one. Thus the word is “spelt all right.” but pronounced “Mataraw,” the final “a sound being omitted. Also “Tongapurutu’’ is pronounced ‘Tongapurut : mid “Taitaramaku” (?) from memory, is Taitarnmak, the final rowel being clipptMl” Off. , Tn-th a M>ori language. every wora.and every syllable in every word, ends in a vowel, but it is not always pronounced.— 1 am ' etc ” E.G. Palmerston North. September 12.