Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

māpuna

1. (verb) to well up.

Ka tae ki Ahuahu i te tonga mai o Kāwhia. I reira ka māpuna te aroha o te rangatira nei o Te Poihipi ki a Puhiwahine (TTR 1994:93). / They arrived at Ahuahu at the southern end of Kāwhia. There the love of the chief Te Poihipi welled up for Puhiwahine.

Show example

Hide example


2. (modifier) prized, precious, valuable, fragrant.

Hei māpuna: He whakapaipai ki te kakī, he raukawa te hei; ka whakaritea ki te mea e kaingākautia ana (M 2006:314). / Fragrant necklet: A neck ornament of raukawa; figurative of something prized (M 2006:315).

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: matapopore, tongarewa, marihi, matahīapo, matenui, kahurangi, tongarerewa, puipuiaki, puiaki, hokoi, kāmehameha, piripoho, mōmōhanga

New favourites & quiz!

The Te Aka Māori Dictionary mobile app now has the ability to sort your favourite words into folders. Plus, these folders can be turned into a quiz for a fun way to learn words and definitions. Download or update the app today!

iOS Android

The App

Te Aka Māori Dictionary is also available as an iOS and Android app. Download below.

iOS Android

The Book

Te Aka Māori-English, English-Māori Dictionary and Index by John C Moorfield comprises a selection of modern and everyday language that will be extremely useful for learners of the Māori language.

More info

He Pātaka Kupu

Te kai a te rangatira

He Pātaka Kupu is a monolingual Māori language dictionary, and was designed using its own culturally authentic terms.

Visit website

00:00