Pākehā

Pākehā ( German and English also: Pakeha ) is the name of the Māori for the first European settlers in New Zealand. Originally derived from the Maori language term is now an integral part of the New Zealand English and New Zealand still in use, but is interpreted differently. Depending on your view, making them the New Zealanders meant exclusively British ancestors, with predominantly European ancestry or all non- Māori ( or non- Polynesian ).

The origin of the word is not entirely clear. Most likely the origin of pākehakeha or pakepakehā, both names for mystical, fair-skinned and seafaring nature applies. The Māori knew before the arrival of Europeans no name for themselves; both terms are only incurred when encounter between the two peoples.

In addition to these derivations there are also other, more popular etymological explanations, according to which the term has a pejorative character. Although the term is sometimes used by Māori in this sense, and understood by non- Māori so that it applies generally but as value-free.