rangatira

plural rangatiras

1. New ZealandA hereditary Māori leader of a kinship group; a chieftain or high-born Maori.First known use 19th c.

   Stout commoners on the left side, and real rangatira on the right distaff side. A New Zealander through and through.

   1983, Keri Hulme, The Bone People, Penguin, published 1986, page 99

   1 more example

   Defeated and captured rangatira became slaves, but they could regain their former status if they succeeded in escaping from their captors or eventually obtaining an honourable release.

   2003, Michael King, The Penguin History of Aotearoa New Zealand, Penguin, published 2023, page 68