piriawaawa
1. (noun) leech - blood-sucking native leeches are found in fresh water. They are visibly segmented, very flexible and there is a suction disc at the tail end.
Ko tāku tēnei ki a koe e te Kāwana. Noho mai e te Kāwana. Noho mai hei Kāwana mō mātou, mōku, mō mātou katoa, kia kore ai ō mātou whenua e riro i ngā piritoka me ngā piriawaawa e kōtītiti haere nei (TWK 8:24). / This is what I say to you, O Governor. Remain, Governor, remain as Governor for us, for me, for all of us, so that our lands will not be taken by these limpets and leeches that are wandering about.
Synonyms: kōkopurangi, ngata
