Story: Tapa whenua – naming places

Variations of Whangaroa

Variations of Whangaroa

This map shows variations of the name Whangaroa (meaning long or wide harbour) and their locations in Polynesia. These names are spread throughout the Polynesian triangle from Whangaroa and Akaroa (a Ngāi Tahu variation of Whangaroa, also called Hakaroa) in New Zealand, across to Hangaroa on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in the east, and north to Hanaloa in Hawaii.

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How to cite this page:

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Tapa whenua – naming places - Exploration and naming', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/map/18632/variations-of-whangaroa (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 24 Nov 2008