vata, n. An interval, as of time or space.

‘E a‘a i vata ai tēia ngā‘i?
Why is there a space here?;

Kāre ‘e rā vata i ā ia i te ko‘i tītā.
He never misses a day picking up rubbish;

Kua roa tō‘ou vata‘anga ki reira, mē kāre?
You’ve been there for a long time, haven’t you?