matata
1. (verb) to be split, open, gape.
Kua matata te kakau o te toki (W 1971:191). / The handle of the axe has split.
Synonyms: marake, pūaha, tuwhera, māhorahora, matatea, tīwhera, areare, kohera, tuhera, wātea, whakaareare, whakapuare, whewhera, uaki, mawhera, koraha, mārakerake, kohea, ango, puare, tīwara, tūmatanui, pawhera, hemahema, whakatuwhera, whakatuhera, huaki, poare, hīrikore, are, pōaha, puakaha, raha, tūraha, tawhera
2. (verb) to open.
Ka mea a Hā ka mate ia; ka whakahua ia i tana kupu, "Te kōwhatu nei, ē, matiti, matata!" Kua matata, kua ngaro ia (NM 1928:83). / Hatupatu thought he would die, so he recited his words, "This rock, split open!" It opened and he disappeared into it.
3. (noun) crevice, chink, split.
Ka whati ngā ngārara ki roto ki ngā tauwhare oneone, ki ngā matata oneone, ki ngā tarutaru (TWMNT 22/8/1976:202). / The insects fled into the overhanging banks and crevices and cracks in the earth and the small vegetation and grass.
