It is often very difficult to get the intended meaning for Maori place names. Wairaurahiri can be broken down but literal translations don’t always make a lot of sense.
“Wai” = Water (liquid) can be used in over 300 different ways
“Wairau” = Blenheim
“Rau ” = Blade
“Rahiri” = Grieve
“Wai” – “Rau” – “Rahiri“
Water – Blade – Grieve
The most commonly believed intended meanings are “many rushing waters” or “Bad waters”. A lesser known translation is “wide river”.
