Whales were
an important resource to pre-European Māori, and that’s reflected in several
well-known names.
Whangaparāoa, the peninsula north of Auckland city,
means Bay or harbour of sperm whales; whanga
(harbour); parāoa (sperm whale).
Among the
many explanations for the name Whāngārei is that it’s a shortened form of
Whāngārei-terenga-parāoa: whanga (harbour);
rei (rushing); terenga (place of swimming); parāoa
(sperm whale).
Find these
and many more definitions in Māori Place
Names. For more about the book go to https://www.oratia.co.nz/product/maori-place-names/
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