Here's a breakdown:
* Tiritiri: This part refers to the island itself. It's likely derived from the Māori word "tiri," which means "to be small" or "to be narrow."
* Matangi: This is a Māori word that can refer to a type of seabird (the "Matangi" or "Pacific Reef Heron"). It's possible the name refers to the presence of these birds on the island.
Therefore, "Tiritiri Matangi" literally means "Small [Island] of the Matangi" or "Narrow Island of the Matangi."
However, "Tiritiri Matangi" is often used as a proper noun, similar to how we use "Manhattan" or "Hawaii." So, it's best understood as the name of a specific island.