2. (adjective) be undecided, left in a dilemma, unsure, ambivalent, in two minds.
Matakuikui ana a Helen Clark, engari anō a Jim Bolger, he matawaenga kē pea tāna (HM 1/1997). / Helen Clark is pleased, but Jim Bolger on the other hand is probably in a dilemma.
3. (noun) dilemma, predicament, quandary.
I tēnei wāhanga o te whakaari, ka kaha ake te puta o te matawaenga e pā ana ki te keri hinu i tō rātou rohe (RMR 2017). / In this part of the play the dilemma concerning oil drilling in their district comes through strongly.
Synonyms: pōraruraru, mōrearea, harapuka
