In Maori, "ahi" means fire or blaze. It can refer to a physical fire or can be used metaphorically to represent energy, passion, or a strong desire. The word is also commonly used in cultural ceremonies and traditions involving fire.

Waka is the name for boat, though that name is widely used for other containers or basins as well. Wakahuia is a carved box for Huia feathers. Waka is today often used as the equivalent for car.

In Te Waipounamu, the word waka is variously spelt as aka and anga, with the further variants of the initial letters being wh or h or just w.

So Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula means long harbour or long basin. Hakataramea in the Waitaki country means a basin filled with taramea (the sharp spiked spaniard plant). Wakatipu means the basin of the tipua = the basin of the evil god.

Ranginui Walker has written:

'Liberating Maori from educational subjection' -- subject(s): Maori (New Zealand people), Education

'Tohunga whakairo' -- subject(s): Wood-carvers, Wood-carving, Maori, Biography, Maori Architecture

'Nga tau tohetohe =' -- subject(s): Maori (New Zealand people), Politics and government, Social conditions, Race identity

'Nga pepa a Ranginui =' -- subject(s): Maori (New Zealand people), Government relations

'Tohunga whakairo' -- subject(s): Wood-carvers, Wood-carving, Maori, Biography, Maori Architecture

'He Tipua' -- subject(s): Biography, Maori (New Zealand people), History, Anthropologists, Statesmen