MAORI PROPER NAMES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1531, 5 December 1873, Page 40

MAORI PROPER NAMES.

The following piece of Maori etymology is from the Taranaki News: — Taranaki is derived from " tara" the peak of a mountain, and " ngaki" free from vegetation, in allusion to the bare rocky slopes of Egmont. Huatoki, the name of the town river, signifies " abundance of worms;" by the Maoris this stream is more generally called Waitoki, which signifies "worm water." The word " manga," which so frequently forms the prefix of our river names, signifies a branch or tributary. Hence Mangatoki signifies a tributary of the Waitoki; Mangaone, the beach tributary ; Manganui, "the great tributary;" Mangoroi, " the tooth tributary ;" Mangoraka, " the Avinding tributary." Waiongona signifies " rough water;" Te Henui signifies " the great evil." Tradition asserts that some dark deed was perpetrated in the neighborhood of this stream, and from that act it derived its name. Waitara probably signifies "the water from the mountain," its principal tributary having its source in one of the eastern gorges of Egmont. Tapuae signifies "sounding footsteps," and derives its name probably from a fancied resemblance between its murmur and the sound of the footsteps of a marching host. Waireka signifies " sweet water;" Oakura, " the spot where the sun lingers;" Omata signifies the country near to the headland, i.e., Sugarloaf Point. Paritutu, the name of the great sugarloaf, signifies " the erect promiuent precipice ;" Moturoa, " the tall island;" Motumahanga, " the twins island," so called on account of its double peak. Puke is frequently a prefix to the names of places, aud signifies a hill; hence Puketotara, " totara hill;" Pukerangiora, "rangiura hill;" Puketapu, " the sacred hill."