The Waikato Line.

Tuakau:

A combination of the words for stand (tu) and shore or coast (akau). The name originally of the high bluff hill on which the Alexandra Redoubt (still well preserved large earthworks) was built by the British troops in 1863.

It stands immediately above the Waikato River, and commands a view for many miles down the river.

Pokeno:

Po=night; keno=the night of death, the underworld.

Taupiri:

Closely-clinging; a lover. Hoataupiri, the beloved one; intimate friend.

Mahuta:

Called after Mahuta, the third Maori king of Waikato, son of Tawhiao.

Rotowaro:

Roto=lake; waro=coal-mine.

Pukemiro:

Hill of the miro tree (Podocarpus ferrugineus.)

Ngaruawāhia:

The food-stores (rua) broken open. Name derived from an incident of olden days when the chief of the place, in entertaining a large party of visitors, directed his men to wahia or break open the stores of kumara lately harvested; these stores, pits roofed over, were usually not touched until a special occasion arose to open them for a feast. The name is sometimes erroneously thought to refer to the meeting of the two rivers here, the Waikato and the Waipa (rua=two and wai=water).

Horotiu:

Swiftly flowing. This is the name applied to the Waikato River above its junction with the Waipa, where its current, as the Maori explorers ascended the river in their canoes, became strong and swift.

Ruakura:

Pit in red earth.

Mātangi:

Wind, breeze; usually wind from the north.

Hautapu:

Hau has numerous meanings. Here it may be taken as referring to a religious ceremony, hau being sacred food used in the removal of tapu from a person, or a newly-built house, etc.; also a portion of an enemy slain in battle, or something used in a rite to ensure good fortune. Hau also is the spiritual quality or essence which ensures the vitality of man. Tapu = sacred.