Some common elements in Māori placenames

Wai, water eg: Waimakariri, Waikouaiti, Waitaki, Waihora, Waimairi, Waikuku, Waimate

O, belonging to or place of eg: Otautahi, Opoho, Ohau, Onawe Peninsula, Opawaho

Te, The eg: Te Anau, Te Wai Pounamu, Te Kuiti, Te Ohotahi, Te Karoro, Te Whenua

Nu,i big or great eg: Kaka-nui, Mataka-nui, Tapanui, and Hoko-nui

Manga/ma, stream, creek or tributary eg: Mangamaunu Bay, Mahoenui Bay

Roa, long eg; Wairoa, Ahuroa, Aotearoa, Kaingaroa, Mangaroa

Puke, hill eg: Puke-te-raki, Puke-tapu, Puke-atua, Puke-ki-Waitaha

Kai, food eg: Kaitangata, Kaituna pass, Kaikōura, Kaitorete Spit