Crossword Genius

A pass may finish the Maori follower (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

acolyte

'follower' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a pass may finish the maori' is the wordplay.
'pass' becomes 'col' (col is a term for a mountain pass).
'finish' says to take the final letters.
'the maori' becomes 'te' (I've seen this in other clues).
The final letter of 'may' is 'y'.
'a'+'col'+'y'+'te'='ACOLYTE'

(Other definitions for acolyte that I've seen before include "Minister's assistant" , "Adherent or priest's assistant" , "Supporter" , "Priest's attendant" , "Person who assists a priest" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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