Support for Wellington to be called Te Whanganui-a-Tara following Māori Party's language policy announcement
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.
What word sums up 2024, neighbours?
If 2020 was the year of lockdowns, banana bread, and WFH (work from home)....
In one word, how would you define 2024?
We're excited to see what you come up with!
The Great Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand
Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Great Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!
Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN a Weber® Lumin® BBQ Prize Pack, valued at $1098! Each pack includes: an electric BBQ, a stand with a side table, and a cover. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here.
The team at Stuff