Definify.com

Definition 2024


pakeha

pakeha

See also: pākehā

English

Noun

pakeha (plural pakehas or pakeha)

  1. (New Zealand) A non-Maori, especially a European New Zealander.
    • 2003, "RK", Maori TV (on newsgroup nz.general)
      i.e. they'll spend the first four hours enthusiastic as can be, then get bored, want some kai, go down to the local fish and chip shop & bottle store & spend the rest of the episode telling drunken stories of how they used to steal from the "pakeha that owned the store on the corner" and about days spent down at the social welfare office.
    • 2004, David Mitchell, A Cloud Atlas:
      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.’