maire
1. (noun) maire - tall forest trees of several species.
E tāreia ana ki te maire, ki te mānuka, ki tētehi atu rākau mārō rānei, taua turuturu, he mea kia mārō ai te rākau mō te ngau a te kākā (mōkai), i tōna turuturu, e kore e riwha (pakaru) (JPS 1895:135). / The support for a bird snare was fashioned out of maire, mānuka, or some other hard wood, in order that it may be sufficiently hard when bitten by the decoy kākā to prevent its chipping.
Synonyms: maire raunui, maire rauriki
2. black maire, Nestegis cunninghamii - a tall handsome canopy tree growing up to 23 m high with a stout, straight trunk. Now found only in isolated North Island forests. The long leaves are leathery, but smaller in adult trees. Wood is heavy, dark brown, often streaked with black, and very hard. The bark is rough and corky. Red (sometimes yellow) fruits are profuse, giving the tree a bright yellow glow.
Synonyms: maire raunui
