Aotearoa
(obsolete) The North Island of New Zealand.
Seen in the wild
It brought me great joy to see these little friends again when I was in the UK. I miss them terribly, as we don't have them in Aotearoa.
📢 This is the first of two fronts that are forecast for Aotearoa as we head into the second half of the week.
Are you a professional illustrator in Australia? We've got an industry discord to share resources, jobs, opportunities and find collaborators! discord.gg/j9VBsY7nh7 #australia #aotearoa
📢 NZSL translator Ryley Yates on growing up deaf in Aotearoa.
#pinkbike: Coming Up: Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa 2026 https://www.pinkbike.com/news/replay-natural-selection-bike-2026.html?trk=rss #MTB
Definitions
(obsolete) The North Island of New Zealand.
he found in the sea this island Aotearoa (the northern island of New Zealand), and he thought he would land there.
“It brought me great joy to see these little friends again when I was in the UK. I miss them terribly, as we don't have them in Aotearoa.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“📢 This is the first of two fronts that are forecast for Aotearoa as we head into the second half of the week.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Are you a professional illustrator in Australia? We've got an industry discord to share resources, jobs, opportunities and find collaborators! discord.gg/j9VBsY7nh7 #australia #aotearoa”
— Bluesky· May 2026“📢 NZSL translator Ryley Yates on growing up deaf in Aotearoa.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“#pinkbike: Coming Up: Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa 2026 https://www.pinkbike.com/news/replay-natural-selection-bike-2026.html?trk=rss #MTB”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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"Aotearoa" (anthem), Māori version of "God Defend New Zealand"
Aotearoa means: "Aotearoa" , Māori version of "God Defend New Zealand". It is mainly New Zealand English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Aotearoa means: "Aotearoa" , Māori version of "God Defend New Zealand". Register: informal, New Zealand English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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"Aotearoa" (Stan Walker song)
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"Aotearoa" (Minuit song)
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Aotearoa (overture), by Douglas Lilburn
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"Aotearoa" (Jenny Morris song)
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