Pakeha

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English

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Maori pākehā.

Pronunciation

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Proper noun

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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

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  • "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

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References

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