whakakiriūka
1. (verb) to remain firm.
He tika kei te nunumi atu te tira o ngā kaumātua i ngā torouka, engari tēnei anō te hiku e whakakiriūka iho nei, kia āta tirotiro iho ai anō ki te hiki o te waewae o te ope tamariki (HKW 1/1/1901:6). / It's correct that the generation of elders is disappearing out of sight around the headlands, but the rearguard is standing firm, so look carefully at how the youth are treading.
2. (modifier) unflinching, unwavering, resolute, dogged, staunch, undaunted.
Nō ngā whakararu pērā me taua hui ka puta tō te Nāti wairua - he wairua whakakiriūka ahakoa he aha ngā uauatanga, kia ū ko te mahi ki uta (TWK 14:32). / The Nāti (Ngāti Porou) spirit emerged as a result of such problems - an unwavering spirit, despite the difficulties, to complete the task.
Synonyms: rae pakari, ngākau titikaha, manawa rahi, pūtohe, niwha, kiriūka, manawanui, marohi, mārohirohi, titikaha, pikoni, ū, pūkeke, aumangea, pukunanaiore, tōkeke
