New signs have been installed pointing the way to Te Pātaka Kōrero o Manurewa and Urunga Tūmatanui mā Hill Road ki te Poari ā-Rohe o Manurewa.
If you go past Nga Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa best take the urunga to the taunga waka because that’s the best free parking to use when you are returning your library books.
The new signs put te reo alongside English as they point the way to the town’s library, Manurewa Local Board offices, the car park and Citizens Advice Bureau, all contained in the Hill Road complex.
Board chair Joseph Allan and Manurewa-Papakura Councillor Angela Dalton were on hand when the signs were installed.
“We have a commitment to te reo Māori in our community, and our 2020 Local Board Plan outcomes say that we are proud of our strong Māori identity and thriving Māori community, and that our communities should be inclusive, vibrant, healthy and connected.
“It’s great to see te reo being normalised in the community.”
Cr Dalton says the signs have been worth waiting for. “The board was the first to use te reo signage for its own offices and it’s great to see it appearing more widely and hopefully increasingly becoming part of our everyday lives.”
The board’s plan also includes four other outcomes, that:
- our people enjoy a choice of quality community spaces and use them often
- our safe and accessible network provides transport options to meet community needs
- our prosperous local economy supports local people
- our natural environment is valued, protected and enhanced.
The plan is open for consultation until 13 August, and the board is hosting a hearings-style event at its Poari ā-Rohe o Manurewa Hill Rd offices on Wednesday from 4.30-7pm. There are only a few spots left open. You can book on 09 262 5402 or by email.
Allan is available at the offices on Fridays from 2-4pm, and the board is also at Manurewa’s Sunday markets. Residents can leave comments at the board’s Facebook page too, but to be official, posts must contain the hashtag #lovelocal.
Libraries and service centres have paper submission forms and there is an online site with all you need here.
