Also tawai. [Maori.] The native name in New Zealand of several species of beech, called by the settlers birches.
1873. Catal. Vienna Exhib., Tawhai, large and durable timber, used for sleepers.
1883. J. Hector, Handbk. N. Zealand (1886), 102. Tawhai, Red-birch (from the colour of the bark). A handsome tree, 80 ft. to 100 ft. high.
