Maori/Native New Zealand House Names
Here’s a selection of possible house names, and their meanings, some quite delightful, taken from the Maori language. They come courtesy of Graham Gould’s book ‘House Names of Australia’ (see www.grahamgould.com).
New Zealand is one of Australia’s closest neighbours and people regularly travel between the two countries. There has been a steady stream of New Zealand migrants to Australia over the years and they have taken this flavour of Maori culture with them.
To draw your attention to some of the more interesting and delightful Maori house names, we’ve put some of our favourites in bold. Have a look, they may help you choose your house name.
| House name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ahuru | comfortable |
| Amari | east wind, the wind behind you |
| Angaanga | chief, elder, head |
| Aniwaniwa | rainbow |
| Aorangi | break of day |
| Aotea | white cloud |
| Aotearoa | long white cloud |
| Aramoana | track to the sea |
| Aratika | straight track |
| Aratoro | new track |
| Arorangi | the face of the sky |
| Ataahua Wahi | beautiful place |
| Atapo | shades of the night |
| Atarau | moonlight |
| Atawhai | kindness |
| Awaiti | small river |
| Awarere | running stream |
| Awatea | daylight |
| Awatere | swift flowing river |
| Awhitu | home sickness |
| Haere ra | farewell (said by those staying) |
| Haere-huka | flying spray |
| Haere-mai! | welcome! |
| Haumoana | wind from the ocean |
| Haunui | strong wind |
| Hauroko | sound of the wind |
| Hikurangi | high mountain |
| Hine-te-awa | maiden of the river |
| Hiwinui | big ridge |
| Hohou Rongo | make peace |
| Hoki | to return |
| Hokitika | to return directly |
| Huapai | good fruit |
| Huarrau | fruitful, productive |
| Hukerenui | great waterfall |
| Humarire | peaceful, beautiful |
| Kahukuri | rainbow |
| Kaiata | morning food, breakfast |
| Kaihini | rich food |
| Kainga | home |
| Kaipo | night meal |
| Karanga | welcome |
| Karetu | sweet-scented grass |
| Karioi | to linger |
| Karoro | long beach |
| Kauati | chief, important person |
| Kei koa | to be happy |
| Kia ora | good health |
| Kikorangi | blue sky |
| Koa | happy |
| Koa Whare | happy house |
| Kohanga | nest |
| Kohu | enter |
| Kohumaru | sheltered from the mist |
| Konei | this place; this time |
| Koputauaki | to rest after a feast |
| Koputiraha | restful pose |
| Korimako | bellbird |
| Kuwaha | entrance |
| Maiki | high place |
| Maioha | greet affectionately, welcome |
| Manako | to like |
| Manapouri | anxious heart |
| Mangaiti | little stream |
| Mangamahu | quiet stream |
| Manganui | big stream |
| Manuhiri | guest |
| Manuka | tea-tree |
| Manukura | chief, leader |
| Maraeroa | long open space |
| Marama | moon |
| Maranga | to arise, to get up |
| Marangai | east wind; heavy rain |
| Mararoa | big cultivated field |
| Marie | good omen, peaceful |
| Marika | quiet, carefully |
| Marino | peaceful, calm |
| Marire | quiet, thoroughly, peaceful |
| Maru | gentle, shade, shelter, sheltered |
| Maruakoa | happy valley |
| Maruia | sheltered |
| Matangi | breeze |
| Mekari | close to |
| Minamina | desire |
| Mohaka | dancing place |
| Momona | good, fertile land |
| Momorangi | child of heaven |
| Muritai | sea breeze |
| Naumai | welcome |
| Ngakinga | cultivated ground |
| Ngapuke | the hills |
| Ngatahi | together |
| Nui Kainga | great house |
| Nui Wahi | great place |
| Oka | place of cooking |
| Okaiawa | eating place by the river |
| Okataina | place of laughter |
| Okau | place of swimming |
| Omahanui | place of pleasure |
| Omaka | place where stream flows |
| Omihi | sad place |
| Onamata | of time past |
| Onehunga | meeting place on the beach |
| Ongaroto | place of the lake |
| Opaki | pleasant climate |
| Opapa | flat place |
| Opara | muddy place |
| Owhata | food store |
| Owhitiangatera | where the sun shines |
| Paiatepukahu | fertile, good growing place |
| Pakihi | open grass country |
| Paoro | echo |
| Papanui | big, flat plain |
| Petapeta | all together |
| Piwari | beautiful, pliant |
| Powhiri | welcome |
| Pukeatua | hill of the gods |
| Pukenui | big hill |
| Pukerangi | high hill |
| Puketitiro | look-out |
| Putaputa | full of holes |
| Rahi | welcome |
| Rahiri | welcome |
| Ranganui | big group of people |
| Rangatira | chief, noble |
| Rangauna | good fishing |
| Rangiatea | clear skies |
| Ranui | abundant sunshine |
| Rawhiti | sunrise |
| Rehutai | sea spray |
| Rere | waterfall |
| Rongo | peace |
| Rotoiti | little lake |
| Ruatapu | sacred cave |
| Ruranga | guest, stranger |
| Tahawai | edge of the water |
| Taheke | waterfall |
| Tahuti Mai | welcome |
| Takiroa | echo |
| Tararua | with two points or peaks |
| Tauranga | resting place |
| Taurima | hospitality, entertain |
| Te Kairanga | place of plentiful food |
| Te Maru | the shelter |
| Te Puninga | camping place |
| Te Whanga | the harbour |
| Te Whare | the house |
| Tirohanga | sight; view |
| Tiromoana | view of the ocean |
| Tiroroa | extensive view |
| Titirangi | the fringe of heaven |
| Tomokanga | entrance |
| Turanga | stopping place |
| Turua | beautiful |
| Turuki | crowded |
| Tutoro | dreamy |
| Uruhau | happy, pleased |
| Ururua | overgrown |
| Wahi Huhua | place of plenty |
| Waiareka | pleasant water |
| Waimarie | good omen |
| Waimarino | calm water |
| Waimaru | sheltered water |
| Waiora | health |
| Waiuku | place of washing |
| Whakaemi | to gather together |
| Whakahoa | to be friendly with |
| Whakapono | believe, faith |
| Whakatakoto | lay down; place; plan |
| Whakato | to plant |
| Whakawehi | protection |
| Whare | house |
| Whare Matoro | house for social intercourse |
| Whare Puni | sleeping house |
| Whare Rahia | house of pleasure |
| Whare Taka | meeting house |
| Wharehunga | house of people |
| Whenuapai | good country |