2. (adjective) be eager, zealous, keen, kindly disposed towards, enthusiastic.
I akona te reo Māori e ia nō te mea he ngākaunui ia ki te Māori (HP 1991:27). / He learnt the Māori language because he was kindly disposed towards Māori people.
Synonyms: ngākau whakapuke, whiwhita, ringa tōhau nui, ngangahau, whitawhita, ngākau whiwhita, kōtaratara, tūkari, kaikaha, kama, mōhukihuki, rikarika, kamakama, ihupuku, matangareka, kōkeko, hīkaka, takawhita
3. (noun) dedication, commitment, devotion, zeal.
Koia nei rā te pūmau me te ngākaunui o Eruera ki tōna whakapono (EM 2002:138). / That was how enduring and dedicated Eruera was to his faith.
Synonyms: matangareka, whitawhita, ngākau whakapuke, kaikaha, rika, tāwheta, whiwhita, wana
