pūriri
1. (noun) pūriri, Vitex lucens - a large spreading tree of the northern North Island, having hand-shaped glossy leaves with 3-5 'fingers' and wavy margins. Pinkish-red flowers are produced throughout the year and the nectar attracts tūī. The clusters of red fruit appeal to kererū.
Ka whakataukī atu a Kiwi ki a Waha-akiaki, “Kia pēnei, tō kōuma āpōpō e iri ana i te pōhutukawa i Kai-arero.” Ka whakahokia e Waha-akiaki, “Kia pēnei, tō kōuma e iri ana i te pūriri i Maunga-a-Ngū.” (JPS 1923:234) / Kiwi uttered a proverb to Waha-akiaki, “It will be like this, tomorrow your breast-bone will be hanging on the pōhutukawa tree at Kai-arero.” Waha-akiaki replied, “It will be like this, your breast-bone will be hanging from the pūriri tree at Maunga-a-Ngū.”
