tawa
1. (stative) be purple.
Synonyms: māhoe, pāpura, waiporoporo
2. (noun) tawa, Beilschmiedia tawa - a tall tree with yellow-green foliage of long, narrow leaves. The bark is smooth and dark brown. The large dark fruit is a favourite of the kererū. Found throughout the North Island and in northern areas of the South Island.
Ka maoa ngā hua o te tawa me te taraire i te tōmuringa o te raumati me te tōmuatanga o te ngahuru (Te Ara 2011). / The fruit of tawa and taraire are ripe in late summer and early autumn.
