māhoe
1. (stative) be purple - from the colour of the ripe māhoe berries.
Synonyms: tawa, pāpura, waiporoporo
2. (noun) māhoe, whiteywood, Melicytus ramiflorus - a common tree in regrowth and coastal bush. Has alternating, pointed, oval leaves with teeth. Tiny flowers are abundant in spring and are followed by numerous bright blue-purple to dark purple berries.
Koirā a ia i kī ai: 'Māku anō e hanga tōku nei whare. Ko te tāhuhu he hīnau ko ngā poupou he māhoe, patatē. Me whakatupu ki te hua o te rengarenga, me whakapakari ki te hua o te kawariki.' (TTR 1994:134) / That's why he said: 'I myself shall build my house. The ridge-pole will be of hīnau and the supporting posts of māhoe and patatē. Raise the people with the fruit of the rengarenga, strengthened them with the fruits of the kawariki.'
See also hinahina
