Pakeha

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Maori pākehā.

Pronunciation[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Pakeha

  1. (New Zealand) A non-Maori, especially a European New Zealander.
    • 2004, David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, London: Hodder and Stoughton, →ISBN:
      Henry asked if missionaries were now active on the Chathams at which Mr Evans & Mr D’Arnoq exchanged looks, & the former informed us, ‘Nay, the Maori don’t take kindly to us Pakeha spoiling their Moriori with too much civilization.’

Usage notes[edit]

  • "Pakeha" is capitalised when referring to ethnic Europeans specifically.
  • Some New Zealanders prefer New Zealand European (formal) or Kiwi (informal).
  • Although "Pakeha" is widely used in politics and media, the use of "New Zealand European (Pakeha)" in the New Zealand 1996 census provoked a "significant adverse reaction" and the word "Pakeha" was subsequently removed.
  • In New Zealand English, macrons are often used to reflect the word's Maori origin.

Coordinate terms[edit]

References[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Pakeha&oldid=77439720"