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Possible Meanings for The Wairaurahiri River

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
WaterBladeGrieve

The most commonly believed intended meanings are “many rushing waters” or “Bad waters”. A lesser known translation is “wide river”.

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