mā te aha (anō) i [tēnā]
1. better than nothing, the main thing was that, at least that's something, rather that than - an idiom used to suggest that it was better that something was done even if it wasn't done well.
Te koretake hoki o tana whaikōrero! Heoi anō, mā te aha i te whakatau. / How a hopeless his speech was! Never mind, the main thing was that there was a welcome speech.
Tau: Kei te mōhio anō tā rātou kiripaepae hou ki tāna mahi? Ira: Kāore kau pea. Engari he tangata purotu! Tau: Mmm... mā te aha anō pea i tērā! Ira: Āe rā. Māte aha i te pai kanohi! (HJ 2012:29). / Tau: Does their new receptionist actually know his job? Ira: Probably not. But he's a handsome man! Tau: Mmm... Perhaps that's something! Ira: Yes indeed. Having a nice face is better than nothing!
