tangata whenua

/ ˈtɑːŋɡɑːtə ˈfɛnʊːə /

noun

1. the indigenous Māori people of a particular area of New Zealand or of the country as a whole

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangata whenua¹

Māori, literally: people of the land

Example Sentences

"When tangata whenua resist, colonial powers reach for the maximum penalty," it said in a statement on Wednesday, using a Māori phrase that translates to "people of the land".

Read more on BBC

She added: “There is a new generation of tangata whenua” — a common expression for the Indigenous people of New Zealand — “who want to see themselves reflected in our country’s identity, who recognize that the status quo is no longer consistent with who we are as a nation.”

Read more on New York Times