Pyropia rakiura
Family
Bangiaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Etymology
rakiura: Named after the Maori name for Stewart Island. Rakiura is derived from raki ‘sky’ and ura ‘glowing’ or ‘blush’. One explanation for the name is because of the beautiful sunsets seen from the Island. Another possible explanation is the name is derived from Te Ura-Te Raki-tamou ‘the blush of Te Raki Tamou, in reference to a story of the shame of a Maori chief who went to the island to court a woman and subsequently found out she had a husband.
References and further reading
Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Reed PUblishing. Auckland.