manaian.

1895 Trans. & Proc. N.Z. Inst. 1894 27 674 The maihi, or gable-boards, have carvings of the mythological animal known as the manaia—probably a kind of taniwha.

1910 J. Cowan Maoris of N.Z. xii. 165 Some of the wall slabs are carved into fantastic figures of fabulous water-monsters..others represent the mythical creatures known as the manaia and wheku with bird-like beaks and snaky tails all coiled in endless spirals.

1924 E. Best Maori II. xxi. 574 A common design in the carved work of superior houses and elevated storehouses is that known as the manaia..a figure composed of a long, slim body, a birdlike head, and an indefinite number of legs.

1966 Encycl. N.Z. II. 410/2 Apart from the naturalistic figure, every type of full-faced figure has a manaia to match... The head of the manaia can, in each case, be recognised as half of the head of the appropriate matching figure divided down the middle of the face.