Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Ara Ngata n.

[? Sir Apirana Ngata (1874-1950), the former politician and Maori leader featured on the New Zealand $50 note]

(N.Z. prison) money.

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[NZ]D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 7/2: Ara Ngata (also Ara Ngatas or Henry Ara Ngata) n. money: ‘Show us your Ara Ngatas’ = ‘Show us/give us your money’.