kawakawa

/ ˈkɑːwəˌkɑːwə /

noun

1. an aromatic shrub or small tree of New Zealand, Macropiper excelsum: held to be sacred by the Māoris Also calledpeppertree

Word History and Origins

Origin of kawakawa¹

Māori

Example Sentences

Gradually, native ingredients like kawakawa or fiddlehead ferns, as well as traditional cooking techniques, have inspired non-Maori New Zealand chefs like Al Brown or Ben Bayly.

From New York Times

The kawakawa tree’s branches cast blessings on the launch of canoes, the birth of children and the dawn of battle.

From New York Times

Jaime Faulkner, 36, lives in the rural town of Kawakawa in the Bay of Islands.

From The Guardian

In the sleek, contemporary lobby of the new Fisher & Paykel Experience Center in Costa Mesa, visitors are welcomed with a cup of New Zealand's famous kawakawa green tea and a tradition of kiwi hospitality.

From Los Angeles Times

We accordingly prepared the whaleboats to proceed up the Kawakawa river; and, as I had never been there before, the present afforded an excellent opportunity for exploring that picturesque spot.

From Project Gutenberg