manawatu
manawatu Lexical Profile
• noun
New Zealand A geographic and administrative region located in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, historically known for its fertile agricultural plains.
"Dairy farming remains one of the primary economic drivers in the Manawatu."
New Zealand A major river in the lower North Island of New Zealand that flows from the Ruahine Ranges westward to the Tasman Sea.
"The Manawatu River is geographically unique because it crosses a major mountain range through a steep gorge."
Word Nuance & Usage
In modern written English, the word is increasingly spelled with a macron over the final vowel (Manawatū) to accurately reflect its long vowel sound in Te Reo Māori.
• Rhymes for manawatu
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Te Reo Māori 'Manawatū', composed of 'manawa' (heart or breath) and 'tū' (to stand). According to Māori oral tradition, the name was given by the explorer Haunui-a-nanaia, whose heart stood still with apprehension upon seeing the large, imposing river he had to cross.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.