1520 days ago

Support for Wellington to be called Te Whanganui-a-Tara following Māori Party's language policy announcement

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A Māori Party proposal to change the name of Wellington to Te Whanganui-a-Tara has the support of city leaders.

Kaumātua and Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui chairman Kura Moeahu said he strongly supported the move to return place names to the original ingoa Māori. It would helps everyone understand the local history, he said. "There is a narration that goes with each of these names.

Wellington City Councillor Jill Day (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), who holds the Māori Partnerships portfolio, welcomed the announcement.

Commuters spoken to in Wellington by Stuff also supported the idea. Craig Lambert thought Te Ūpoko o te Ika a Māui was a more inclusive alternative. ”It represents all people.”

“Many of our cities and towns were named after people who never came to Aotearoa, with no consideration of the names that were already in use,” Day said.

Fellow Councillor Tamatha Paul (Ngāti Awa and Waikato Tainui) said there were about 39 places called Wellington in the world.

A poll on Neighbourly with over 520 respondents was 81 per cent against a name change.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
3 hours ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

Image
1 day ago

Have you seen Graham?

The Team from Wellington District Police

The 77-year-old was last seen by family at the Colonial Knob walkway near Porirua, on ‘The Doctor’ track, around 5:45pm.
He is potentially suffering dementia, and has difficulty hearing.
Graham is around 165cm tall, of slight build, wearing a blue puffer jacket and brown corduroy pants.
Police are in the area searching, but if you have any information that may help, please call 111 and quote event number P060575913.

1 day ago

Paint it orange with Resene for Arthritis NZ!

Resene

Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop in November and Resene will donate $1 to Arthritis NZ!

The more orange testpots you buy, the more will be donated.
Find out more

Image