[Maori.] The native name for the New Zealand creeping plant Ripogonum parviflorum. Also kareao-vine.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, Adv. New Zeal., I. 218 (Morris). A tedious march … along a track constantly obstructed by webs of the kareau, or supple-jack.
1873. Buller, Birds New Zeal. (1888), II. 317. Our shins aching from repeated contact with the kareao-vines.
