Waikato-Thames Line.

Piako:

One meaning is shrunk, another is hollow. But the name is an ancient Polynesian place name, given to the lower part of the Piako River by the Tainui immigrants from the Eastern Pacific.

Tatuanui:

Large girdle; the waist-belt of flax, often folded to carry valuables or food.

Waihou:

New river; fresh water.

Te Aroha:

The affections. The two mountain peaks of Te Aroha were so named by explorers of old because of their love and regret for their distant friends. Ihenga, of the Arawa people, and Rakataura, the priest of the Tainui, each ascended the mountain and looking towards the distant lands of their tribes chanted songs expressing their longing for them and they named the peaks Aroha-ki-tai (“Love landward”) and Aroha-ki-uta (“Love seaward”). The beautiful range may therefore be called the Mountain of Love.

Tirohia:

Look, behold.

Mangaiti:

Manga = creek, branch of a river; iti = small.

Paeroa:

Pae = ridge; roa = long.

Komata:

End, extremity, as of a range or hill; various other meanings.

Hikutaiā:

Hiku = the tail or end; taia = neap tide. (On the Waihou or Thames river).

Wharepoa:

Whare = house; poa = bait, or lure; also sacred food.

Omāhu:

The place or home of Mahu.

Puriri:

Ancient hill, pa above the Lower Waihou River, so named because of the abundant and large puriri trees which grew there.

Matatoki:

Edge of the axe.

Kōpu:

Numerous meanings, including the planet Jupiter; the belly; full; several kinds of fish, etc.

Parawai:

The Maori papa-kainga or village site near Thames town, at the mouth of the Waihou River. Principal meaning is a fine kind of flax robe or cloak, white, with a decorative border.