kōhanga

Maori

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *kofa-ŋa (“nest”), from *kofa (from Proto-Oceanic *kopa) plus nominalizing suffix From *-ŋa.

Cognate with Hawaiian ʻohana (“family, relatives, kin”), Rarotongan koʻanga (“nest”), Samoan ōfaga (“nest”), Tahitian ofaaraa (“nest”).

Noun

kōhanga

1. nest, nursery
2. birthplace, cradle, homeland, stronghold, bastion