CORRESPONDENCE

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1939, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

[To The Editor]. Sir, —The enquiry of your correspondent, Mr. A. O. Warwick, and his comments on the various Maori meanings of “Ao” and derived words are most intergstng and instructive For his information I would quote Mr. James Cowan, New Zealand's foremost authority on Maori history and language. He considers that the meaning of Aotearoa, which most closely expresses what was in the minds of the first Polynesian voyagers who discovered New Zealand, ‘a'nd named it Aotearoa was “Long Bright Land.” Their landfall on the east coast of the North Island was made when the rising sun had brightened the world, and the land gleamed

white on the starboard beam —a; long, beautiful, while coastline. Said j they, “Aotearoa,” “Ah, long, bright ; world,” or as we have it “Long I bright land.” The word “Ao” has three mean-! ings as a noun—“daytime,” “world" • and “cloud”; it also is used as a verb “Become light.” For many years the commonly accepted general meaning• for Aotearoa has been "Long White

Cloud.” Thus, “Ao.” cloud; “tea” white; "roa” long, and though in the words Aotearoa as applied to Nev.Zealand itself, Mr. Cowan’s interpretation is preferable, viz.. “Long Bright Land.” Still, I imagine, that as the name of a flying boat the most descriptive and romantic meaning would be "Long White Cloud.” Mr. Warwick’s explanation of “Aotearoa ’ meaning “long twilight” in the far

north is. of course, equally correct, since Aotea is a variant of Awatea, which really means as near as a European can give it. “Clear Dawn.” Well then, in conclusion, shall we decide on "Long Bright Land” for New Zealand, and , “Long White Cloud” I for the They are both right, each irnits particular applicaj tion. | “EHOA-O-TE-MANU.”