Spanish flower in some Maori opera? (3)

I believe the answer is:

rio

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spanish flower' is the definition.
'rio' can be an answer for 'flower' ('river' in Spanish). I am unsure of the 'spanish' bit.

'in some maori opera?' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'RIO' is hidden in the letters of 'some maori opera'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rio that I've seen before include "Erstwhile home of Biggs" , "Manchester United player in South American city, in short?" , "(Golfer) in the sand" , "... Grande, ... de Janeiro" , "- Ferdinand, footballer" .)

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

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