Maori word, meaning ancestor,progenitor, male or female. Often used in the Land Courtsin the question: «Who are your tupuna?»
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. ii.p. 113:
«I asked his permission to ascend Tonga Riro . . . But hesteadily refused, saying, `I would do anything else to showyou my love and friendship, but you must not ascend my tepuna,or ancestor.'»
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 202:
«Tupuna, to stand, to spring; an ancestor; hence Tu-pu, togrow.»
1863. F. Maning (Pakeha Maori), `Old New Zealand,' p. 196:
«One evening a smart, handsome lad came to tell me his tupuna was dying . . . The tribe were ke poto orassembled to the last man about the dying chief.»