pākehā

See also: pakeha

Maori

Etymology

Likely shortened from pakepakehā, which is of unknown origin. The Te Aka Māori dictionary entry[1] cites Mohi Tūrei for the claim that the term is originally from a chant that European sailors sang when lowering the anchor.

Noun

pākehā

  1. People with fair skin, or of European descent; pakeha.

References
  1. http://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?keywords=P%C4%81keh%C4%81
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