Pākehā
Pākehā (German and English also: Pakeha ) is the name of the Māori for the first European settlers in New Zealand . The term, originally from the Maori language , is now an integral part of New Zealand English and is still in use in New Zealand, but is interpreted differently. Depending on your point of view, this means New Zealanders with exclusively British ancestors, with predominantly European ancestors or all non-Māori (or non- Polynesians ).
The origin of the word is not entirely clear. Most likely, the origin of pākehakeha or pakepakehā , both names for mystical, fair-skinned and seafaring beings, applies. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Māori had no name for themselves; both terms arose only when the two peoples met.
In addition to these derivations, there are also other, more folk etymological explanations, according to which the term has a pejorative character. Even if the term is sometimes used in this sense by Māori and interpreted as such by non-Māori, it is generally considered to be neutral.