Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

1888. J. White, `Ancient History of Maori,' vol. iv. p. 191:

"When Tara-ao left his pa and fled from the vengeance of Karewa, he and his people were hungry and cut down ponga, and cooked and ate them."

1888. J. Adams, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,' vol. xxi. art. ii. p. 36:

"The size and beauty of the puriri, nikau, and ponga (<i>Cyathea medullaris</i>) are worthy of notice."

1892. E. S. Brookes, `Frontier Life,' p. 139:

"The Survey Department graded a zigzag track up the side to the top, fixing in punga steps, so that horses could climb up."

<hw>Punga-punga</hw>, <i>n</i>. Maori name for the pollen of the <i>raupo</i> (q.v.).

1880. W. Colenso, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,' vol. xiii. art. i. p. 28:

"Another curious article of vegetable food was the punga-punga, the yellow pollen of the raupo flowers. To use it as food it is mixed with water into cakes and baked. It is sweetish and light, and reminds one strongly of London gingerbread."

<hw>Puriri</hw>, <i>n</i>. Maori name for the New Zealand tree, <i>Vitex littoralis</i>, A. Cunn., <i>N.O. Verbenaceae</i>; called also <i>New Zealand Oak</i>, <i>New Zealand Teak</i>, and <i>Ironwood</i>. It is very hard.