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Pākehā

Discover the special name Māori people use for non-Polynesian New Zealanders, like explorers from far away!

Images

Wiremu Tāmihana Tarapīpipi Te Waharoa of Ngāti Hauā, 1863 (23250785723)

Wiremu Tāmihana Tarapīpipi Te Waharoa of Ngāti Hauā, 1863 (23250785723)

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Key Facts

Meaning of the Word
A Māori word for non-Polynesian New Zealanders, especially those of European descent.
Where it's Used
Primarily in New Zealand.
Legal Status
Not a legal term in New Zealand.
Related Word
Papa'a has a similar meaning in Cook Islands Māori.

Who Are the Pākehā?

Imagine a big island called New Zealand! Most people there are Māori, who have lived there for a super long time. But then, people from Europe, like explorers and families, started to arrive. The Māori people needed a special name for these new friends who looked and came from different places. They called them Pākehā! It’s a word that helps everyone understand who is who on the island.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The word Pākehā is like a secret code from the Māori language! It’s not a legal word that’s written in the country’s rulebook, but it’s a friendly way to talk about people who came from places like England, Scotland, or Ireland. Think of it like having a nickname for your new classmate who just moved from another town.

It’s a way to describe them based on where they came from and what they look like.

A Special Way to Say Hello!

Pākehā is a word that helps tell the story of New Zealand. It shows how different people came together on this amazing island. It’s not about being mean or different, but about recognizing that people have different journeys. It’s like when you meet someone new at the playground and ask where they’re from – this word does the same thing for New Zealand!

More Than Just a Name

So, Pākehā is a word used in New Zealand to talk about people who are not Polynesian. It’s a way for the Māori people to describe the newcomers who arrived from Europe. It’s a part of the history and culture of New Zealand, showing how the country became a place where many different kinds of people live together.

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Based on content from Wikipedia · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0