owhiti
1. (stative) be cautious, on one's guard, alert, vigilant, watchful, suspicious, wary.
Ko Pōmare tahi rāua ko Te Rangipaiia i haere ki te Tai Rāwhiti, engari hoki kei te noho ohooho tonu a Ngāti Porou, ka owhiti, kāore i manakohia te whakaaro rangatira o Pōmare (RK 1994:16). / Pōmare together with Rangipaiia went to the East Coast, but Ngāti Porou were alert, cautious and did not like the esteemed opinions of Pōmare.
See also ohiti
2. (modifier) cautious, on one's guard, alert, vigilant, watchful, suspicious, wary.
E noho owhiti tonu ana ngā iwi katoa i nāianei (TWM 26/12/1870:3). / All nations continue to remain on alert now.
3. (noun) caution, vigilence, alertness.
He nui te owhiti o te iwi ki ngā mahi pokanoa a te tangata ki te takakino i ō rātou urupā. / The people are quite vigilant regarding the heedless activities of people who destroy their burial sites.
