kawakawa
1. (noun) kawakawa, pepper tree, Macropiper excelsum - a small, densely-branched tree with heart-shaped leaves. Found throughout the North Island and as far south as Banks Peninsula. Used for ceremonies, including removing tapu, for medicinal purposes, and as a symbol of death.
(Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 124-125;)
Tīparetia tōu rae ki te rau kawakawa (TWMNT 8/2/1876:34). / Adorn your forehead with kawakawa leaves.
2. (noun) dark to rich green variety of greenstone - resembles the leaves of the kawakawa shrub.
Heoi, whakamanawanui tonu, ka kitea ngā kōwhatu pounamu i konei e Hine-ahu. Nō te tangihanga o Hine-ahu, koia te tangiwai. Nō te nui o tōna rangatiratanga, koia te kahurangi; mō tōna tīparetanga ki te kawakawa koia te kawakawa (JPS 1914:8). / Nevertheless, they went on with stout hearts, and then Hine-ahu discovered some greenstone. Because of her lamentations it was called 'tangiwai'. Because of her rank the kahurangi greenstone was so named; and from her making of headband of kawakawa leaves the kawakawa greenstone variety was named.
