2. (verb) (-tia) to have a right, have an interest.
Ki te whakaaro o te Komiti kāhore i whakaaturia mai he tino take kia whai tikangatia ai te Ture Whakatikatika i te Ture Ārai i ngā Tuku hē i ngā Whenua Māori, 1873 (TWMNT 17/4/1877:107). / This Committee is of opinion that no sufficient cause has been shown for interfering with the provisions of The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act Amendment Act, 1873.
3. (modifier) important, meaningful, pivotal.
Nā Paurini Te Whatarau, he rangatira ahurei nō Ngāti Pūkenga, te mahi whai tikanga i riro mai ai he wāhi noho mō tōna iwi i Maketū (TTR 1994:143). / Paurini Te Whatarau, a prominent Ngāti Pukenga chief, played a pivotal role in securing living space for his people at Maketū.
4. (noun) importance, value.
Ka kite a Tirarau i te whai tikanga o te mahi tahi me te kāwanatanga (TTR 1994:166). / Tirarau saw the importance of co-operating with the government.