Where does “whaikaha” come from?

whaikaha (Maori) comes from Maori whai, from Proto-Polynesian *fai, from Proto-Oceanic *paʀi, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian paʀih, from Proto-Austronesian paʀiS — ray.

Ancestry of “whaikaha”, step by step

whaikaha traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Maori whai

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Maori	whai	—
2	Proto-Polynesian	*fai	ray marine fish with a flat body, large wing-like fins, and a whip-like tail
3	Proto-Oceanic	*paʀi	stingray
4	Proto-Malayo-Polynesian	paʀih	ray
5	Proto-Austronesian	paʀiS	ray

via Maori Kāha

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Maori	Kāha	—
2	English	Gaza	around the city
3	Latin	gaza	treasury; treasure, riches; wealth
4	Ancient Greek	Γάζα	treasury, treasure
5	Hebrew	עַזָּה	—

Every word from Proto-Austronesian paʀiS →