Maori name for a climbing plant, Freycinetia banksii, N.O. Pandanaceae; frequentlypronounced ghi-ghi in the North Island of New Zealand,and gay-gie in the South Island.
1854. W. Golder, `Pigeons' Parliament,' p. 77:
«The trees were . . . covered with a kind of parasite plant,called a keekee, having a thick cabbage-like stock.»
1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf' (Notes), p. 505:
«Kie-kie (parasite). . . . A lofty climber; the bracts andyoung spikes make a very sweet preserve.»
1882. T. H. Potts, `Out in the Open,' p. 20:
«The unused food . . . of our little camp, together withthe empty kie-kie baskets.»
[sc. baskets made of kie-kie leaves.]