MEANING OF MOERA

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 190, 10 May 1934, Page 8

MEANING OF MOERA

Views of Maori Interpreter

“LAND FOR NON-SELLERS”

In the course of conversation. with a “Dominion” reporter a Maori interpreter of many years’ experience had something to say concerning the meanings assigned to Maori place names by the commission at present inquiring into their etymology. The name “Moera” it was found had a meaning “sunny sleep” assigned to it. “Why not ‘day dream’?” inquired the linguist. “That would ber perhaps as near to the true meaning as sunny sleep, and more poetical.” He recalled, however, that, about 40 years ago, he had heard the late Mr. “King” Riddiford explain to Captain Hutton, of Greytown North, how this name “Moera” arose. It really means “the residue.” A large tract of land had dbeen leased or sold or otherwise alienated. There were many Native owners therein who had not signed the deed, so a piece was cut off representing the shares of those who had alienated their interests in the block—leaving a residue—“Mo era” (atu o nga tangata kihai i haina), that is, “For tlie others” (who had not signed the deed). It was therefore Te piiki mo era atu o nga tangata kihai,i haina (The piece for the non-sellers). It must be remembered that many interpreters of that period, though fluent linguists, had a limited vocabulary and that their grammatical construction was not always above suspicion. .