19 parks and places in Howick to receive Māori names

Nineteen parks and places in the Howick area will receive Māori names, as part of Auckland Council’s commitment for te reo Māori to be seen, heard, spoken, and learnt.

The Howick Local Board officially passed the recommendation at their recent business meeting this month, as part of the Te Kete Rukuruku programme.

“This is a significant step which we’re proud to be taking. Te Kete Rukuruku puts into action our Local Board Plan commitment to incorporate Māori culture, language, art and stories into public spaces,” says Howick local board chair Damian Light.

Dual and sole names will be adopted for fifteen parks, and four libraries including Botany, Highland Park, Howick, and Pakuranga Libraries. Three reserves are set to have sole Māori names.

“Dual naming enables a reserve to be enriched with te reo Māori, adding to the existing name (which will remain). It’s important to note that nothing is lost and there is much to be gained. The locations selected for sole names are reserves that don’t have an established name or are so like others nearby that there’s little distinction. Te Kete Rukuruku provides an opportunity to give the whenua (land) the recognition that it deserves.”

The board has agreed to endorse the Te Kete Rukuruku programme and process for Māori naming of parks and facilities, noting that it supports the visibility of te reo Māori and seeks to capture and tell the unique stories of Howick and Tāmaki Makaurau.

Next steps will see mana whenua invited to provide Māori names and narratives.

Outcomes of the programme include the restoration of mana and mauri (life force) to the area and the traditional use and importance of this land to mana whenua.

“Te reo Māori has been recognised as a taonga (treasure) and official language, leading to a revitalisation of its use and understanding. Opportunities like this allow local iwi to protect and return local names and history which may have been lost. This then enables our communities to learn about local Māori history, language and culture.”

“We’re extremely grateful to mana whenua for their involvement in this programme which has delivered some incredibly meaningful names in other local board areas across the city and we are looking forward to seeing the outcome for our rohe (area).

“Having taken this important step, we’re looking forward to the working with mana whenua as we embark on this journey together,” says Light.

Dual park names

A dual name means the Māori name is added to the existing name. The existing name is retained, the Māori name is added, and nothing is lost.

Sole Māori names

The local board is considering the option of adopting sole Māori names for some sites. This would mean the existing name is removed and a sole Māori name adopted.

The three sites shown below are currently recommended for sole naming as they either have not yet had a name adopted or their current names are duplications of other nearby parks. Some additional sites may also be considered from the table above following consultation with our local communities.

For further details, read the report here (pg 11 – 20).

Once received from iwi, the Māori names will be accepted and adopted by the local board. Communication and public notification of the Māori names will follow the formal adoption.

About the Te Kete Rukuruku programme

Read more about the Te Kete Rukuruku programme.

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