Kaikawaka means: , the New Zealand cedar, an evergreen coniferous tree.. It is mainly New Zealand English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
kaikawaka
(New Zealand) , the New Zealand cedar, an evergreen coniferous tree.
Definitions
Global
#1·Apr 27, 2026Global
(New Zealand) , the New Zealand cedar, an evergreen coniferous tree.
For parents
Kaikawaka means: , the New Zealand cedar, an evergreen coniferous tree.. It is mainly New Zealand English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
kaikawaka means: , the New Zealand cedar, an evergreen coniferous tree.. Register: informal, New Zealand English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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Semantically related
- 82%
(NZ) A New Zealand tree, .
- 80%
Kawaka is a New Zealand native tree — a tall, elegant conifer belonging to the cypress family, known scientifically as Libocedrus plumosa. It grows in the forests of the North Island and upper South Island, often alongside rimu and kahikatea. Kawaka is important in Maori tradition and features in New Zealand conservation efforts. Among New Zealanders, the name is part of the everyday vocabulary of the bush — that rich, distinctive forest most Kiwis grow up around. The tree's lacy foliage and graceful form make it a favourite in native landscaping.
- 67%
A New Zealand native tree (Libocedrus bidwillii), also called mountain cedar or kaikawaka. Pahautea grows in subalpine forest zones on both main islands, forming distinctive stands at higher altitudes. The Maori name is the preferred term in New Zealand botanical and conservation contexts. The timber was valued historically, and the tree is now protected.
- 67%
(NZ) A tall evergreen tree, , endemic to New Zealand, with leathery leaves and red flowers.
- 66%
(New Zealand) , a rare tree of New Zealand.