Tags: Ethnic Group.
Pākehā is a Māori language term for New Zealanders who are of European descent. Recently the word has been used to refer inclusively either to fair-skinned persons or any non-Māori New Zealander. Papa’a has a similar meaning in Cook Islands Māori.Its etymology is unclear but the term was in use by the late 18th century. In the Māori language plural nouns of Pākehā may include Ngā Pākehā (definite article) and He Pākehā (indefinite article).