Waikikamukau facts for kids
Waikikamukau (sounds like "Why kick a moo cow") is a funny, made-up name for a small, faraway town in New Zealand. People in New Zealand use this name when they want to talk about "any old town" that's out in the countryside. It's like saying "the middle of nowhere" or "the sticks."
It's similar to other slang terms like the New Zealand "Wop Wops" or the Australian "Woop Woop". You might also hear phrases like "the Boondocks" or "Timbuktu" to mean a very remote place.
What Does Waikikamukau Mean?
The name Waikikamukau is a bit of a joke. Many real places in New Zealand start with "Wai". In the Māori language, "Wai" means water. You'll find "Wai" in the names of many rivers and towns near water. So, "Waikikamukau" sounds like a real New Zealand place name, but it's just for fun!
Where Did the Name Come From?
Some people think Waikikamukau might specifically refer to the town of Waipukurau in the North Island. The exact story of how the name started isn't super clear.
One idea is that during World War II, American soldiers were stationed in New Zealand. They found it hard to say some of the Māori place names, like Waipukurau. So, they jokingly called it Waikikamukau instead. However, the name has been used even earlier, at least since the 1930s.
Waikikamukau in Pop Culture
The funny name Waikikamukau has appeared in a few interesting places:
- In the 1990s, a very successful racehorse was named Waikikamukau.
- The name was also used as the setting for a Nickelodeon TV movie. This movie was called Rocket Power: Race Across New Zealand.
