One of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
Definition of mingimingi in US English:
mingimingi
noun
NZ1Any of several evergreen Australasian shrubs of or formerly belonging to the genus Cyathodes (family Epacridaceae), having small, leathery, sharply pointed leaves and tiny greenish-white flowers; especially C. juniperina and Leucopogon fasciculatus, which have red or white berries.
2Any of several evergreen New Zealand shrubs of the genus Coprosma (family Rubiaceae), with small leathery leaves and tiny greenish flowers; especially C. propinqua, having translucent blue berries.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Joseph Hooker (1817–1911), botanist. From Maori mingimingi.