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Definition of whangarei

whangarei

/ˌfɑːŋəˈreɪ/
Whan · ga · rei
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whangarei Lexical Profile

• noun

1

New Zealand The northernmost city in New Zealand, serving as the regional capital of the Northland Region on the North Island.

Example

"We spent the weekend sailing and exploring the coastal trails near Whangarei."

Word Nuance & Usage

For speakers outside of New Zealand, it is a common phonetic trap; following standard Māori pronunciation, the initial 'wh' is pronounced as an 'f' sound (/fɒŋəˈreɪ/).

• Rhymes for whangarei

• Nearby Words

whaler
whangaehu
whanganui
whangarei
wharf
wharton
wheat

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed directly from the Māori language, 'Whāngārei'. It is traditionally believed to be a shortened form of 'Whangarei-terenga-paraoa', which translates to 'the gathering place of whales'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Whangarei. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/whangarei
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