The Lange and the thought of it

One is a man who led New Zealand for five years and who was larger than life for many more. The other is a little bit of an unknown: woven into the history of Ngati Te Ata, the local iwi, but a mystery to the wider community. Their names may be connected in Mangere's multimillion dollar arts centre. Or may not. Debrin Foxcroft explains ...
David Lange: what his name is on: David Lange Memorial Hall, Waterlea School, Mangere Bridge David Lange Park, Mangere The David Lange Memorial Otahuhu Leisure Centre (to be opened this year)
Te Taiki o Mangere: The David Lange Arts Centre has been proposed as the name for the $8 million Mangere arts building, due to open in 2010.
But controversy has arisen as Mangere's community board tries to understand the connection between the two men - David Lange and Taiki - and art.
Most know the story of Lange, born in Otahuhu, Mangere MP for 19 years and Prime Minister for five. Mr Lange died three years ago, yesterday.
Mr Lange is remembered for his fondness for wit, the church, car racing and rugby league. His widow, Margaret Pope, isn't willing to comment on whether it is appropriate to name an arts centre after her late husband. ``But he would be chuffed to be recognised by the community like this,' she says.
Taiki - born Te Horeta - is more of an enigma. According to a Manukau City Council report on naming the centre, his name was proposed at a recent Mana Whenua forum.
(There are five Mana Whenua groups in Manukau and the council has formal relationship agreements with all of them: Ngati Te Akitai, Ngati Te Ahiwaru, Ngai Tai Umupuia, Ngati Paoa and Ngati Te Ata. These agreements provide a framework for Maori and local government to consult one another.)
The people who proposed it were searching for double recognition in the name - for one of the ``most renowned leaders within the history of Ngati Te Ata, as well as of David Lange'.
The report says the name would reflect ``firstly, the history of Mana Whenua, both Ngati Te Ata and Akitai, to the area, while also inclusive of others through Taiki or Te Horeta due to inter-related whakapapa ties.
``Secondly, through David Lange, it reflects more contemporary associations of others.'
Ken Taylor, from the community board, says Te Horeta's name was raised at the meeting last week.
Council officers recommended the board support the name but the board put off any decision until more information could be given on Te Horeta and his role in the Mangere community.
The board will hold a workshop with the council later in the year.
``So many people are involved in this,' says Mr Taylor, ``so we want to do it right.'
Historians around the country could not give much information on Te Horeta.
Online references to him include a newspaper obituary headlined ``The Death of the Celebrated Native Chief Hook-Nose', as he was known to settlers, from an 1853 edition of the Daily Southern Cross.
The title Taiki, meaning a man of endurance according to the council report, was bestowed on Te Horeta later in life by Ngati Te Ata.
The council was reluctant to give further information than was contained in the report until after the workshop.
If you can shed light on Te Horeta write to The Aucklander, PO Box 32, Auckland or email letters@theaucklander.co.nz