common name in southern island of NewZealand for Kowhai (q.v.), of which it is a corruption.It is especially used of the timber of this tree, which isvaluable for fencing. The change from K to Galso took place in the name Otago, formerly spelt Otakou.
1860. John Blair, `New Zealand for Me,':
«The land of the goai tree, mapu, and pine,
The stately totara, and blooming wild vine.»
1863. S. Butler, `First Year in Canterbury Settlement,' p. 104:
«I remember nothing but a rather curiously shaped gowai-tree.»