kōpuka
1. (verb) to be spongy, shrivelled.
Ahakoa rīwai, ahakoa kūmara, ka tipu tonu te tīnaku mehemea e kōpuka ana (PK 2008:312). / Whether potatoes or kūmara, the tubers will still grow even if they are shrivelled.
Synonyms: popohe, memenge, menge, taramore, kurehe, ngingio, whewhengi, kauere, kūreherehe, pohe, whakamenge, pūtoki, pūtokitoki, roiroi
2. (noun) soft pulp (containing the seeds of gourd, etc.).
3. (noun) kānuka, white tea-tree, Kunzea ericoides - leaves similar to mānuka but soft to touch. Taller than mānuka. Has small white flowers.
See also kānuka
