Here's why:
* "Kiri" translates to "to cut" or "to peel".
* "Tai" can mean "tide" or "coast".
Therefore, "kiri tai" might be interpreted as something like "cutting the tide" or "peeling the coast", which doesn't relate to a narrow neck.
Possible confusion:
You might be thinking of "Kaitiaki", which means "guardian" or "protector" in Māori. It's possible this term was misheard or misinterpreted as "kiri tai". However, "Kaitiaki" doesn't refer to a narrow neck either.
Finding the right term:
To find the correct Māori term for "narrow neck", you could use:
* "Te kaki angiangi": This literally translates to "the narrow neck".
* "Te kaki iti": This means "the small neck".
Remember, Māori language is rich and nuanced, and there may be other appropriate terms depending on the specific context.