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Definition of wairau

wairau

/ˈwaɪ.raʊ/
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wairau Lexical Profile

• noun

1

New Zealand A prominent geographic valley in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, globally renowned for its extensive vineyards and production of Sauvignon Blanc.

Example

"We spent the afternoon touring the esteemed wine estates scattered across the Wairau Valley."

2

New Zealand A major river in the Marlborough region of the South Island of New Zealand, flowing from the Spenser Mountains into the Cook Strait at Cloudy Bay.

• Nearby Words

waimoku
wainscoting
waipoo falls
wairau
wairere
wairoa
waist

Word Origin & Etymology

From the Māori proper noun 'Wairau', literally meaning 'many waters', derived from 'wai' (water) and 'rau' (many or hundred).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Wairau. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/wairau
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