mano o te whenua
1. (noun) heart of the country, interior, heartland.
Kei aua noa atu, kei te mano o te whenua (W 1971:176). / They're a long way away, in the interior.
See also mano whenua
2. (noun) deep underground, bowels of the earth.
Tērā tētahi mahi i hua ai te taonga ki te tangata kei Hauraki e mahia ana; he mahi uaua, hou ai rā hoki ki raro ki te mano o te whenua (TKO 6/1915:3). / There is an occupation that produces treasure for people that is being carried out in Hauraki. It is a difficult task and one goes deep underground.
