A story the Times published on August 23 (War of words over Māori names for public places – Times) about the debate over giving Māori names to public places in east Auckland continues to stir discussion in the local community.
The Auckland Council initiative, named Te Kete Rukuruku, will see the Howick Local Board invite mana whenua to provide Māori names and narratives for 15 local parks and the four libraries in Botany, Highland Park, Howick, and Pakuranga.
Some parks will have dual English and Māori names while three reserves are set to have sole Māori names.
A majority of local board members voted earlier this year to support the council initiative, while people including Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson have spoken out against it.
Williamson describes it as “virtue signaling” and says many locals do not know what the te reo names given to public places mean.
A separate but similar initiative has seen the Eastern Busway public transport project gifted te reo Māori names by local mana whenua Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngaati Whanaunga.
Its four new local bus stations will be Pakūranga in the town centre, Te Taha Wai near to Edgewater College and Shopping Centre, Koata by Riverhills Park, and Pōhatu in Burswood.
Te Taha Wai represents the water’s edge, the riverbanks of Te Wai o Taiki (Tāmaki River).
Auckland Transport says Koata speaks to the heart of Tī Rākau, the New Zealand native cabbage tree which is found in the Pakūranga area.
Pōhatu stone or rocks. This references the outcrop of rocks in the Tāmaki estuary which Ngāi Tai legend acknowledges as the perished tūrehu and patupaiarehe peoples.
The Reeves Road Flyover will be named Rā Hihi, which refers to the sun’s rays.
Tī Rākau will be the name of the new bridge that will sit next to Tī Rākau Drive. Rākau (tree) is also a traditional Māori stick game.
Taupaepae (to meet or escort your visitors) will be the name of the bridge joining Tī Rākau Drive and Burswood.
It represents the manaakitanga (hospitality) of AT safely guiding and transporting the community along the bridge. Paepae is the horizon.
Now Howick Town Crier and former Howick Local Board member Jim Donald is weighing into the debate, writing to the Times: “Why oh why do we have to rename all assets and attractions, in our east Auckland Local Board in this 2024 year?
“According to Stats NZ, there is less than 1 per cent of our community classified as Māori
“Over the 178 years of our Fencible history we have a legacy that we are proud of.
“Māori history is acknowledged, Fencible contributions are recorded and celebrated to acknowledge that richness.
“We ought to be looking to the future and adding the present circumstances in our community so, in 2047 (our bi-centenary) we will have an up-to-date celebration second to none.”
