Protecting the stories

Accuracy: This carving of Tōrea, after whom Ruatōrea is named, is at the entrance to the Ruatōrea EIT campus. Picture by Liam Clayton

The great kumara pit of Tōrea, Te Rua a Tōrea, is where the name Ruatōrea came from.

But for some reason Ruatōrea is officially named Ruatōria.

In July this year, the New Zealand Geographic Board Nga Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (NZGB) announced 699 decisions on official place names.

In the list of approved names, Ruatōria Forest, Ruatōria Re-entrant and Ruatōria Scarp were all officially adopted.

This was despite iwi and hapu who have mana whenua over the area wishing to have the name Ruatōria corrected to Ruatōrea, and all other places related to Ruatōrea, be corrected to the “ea” spelling.

Tui Warmenhoven, ahi kaa (local) of Ruatōrea, said the original name of the township tells the story of Te Rua a Tōrea — the great kumara pit of Tōrea — and should be rightfully acknowledged.

“Torea was a woman who was renowned for her expertise in growing kumara for the local hapu and rangatira (chief),” Miss Warmenhoven said.

“The alluvial plains and other key sites in the area were fertile soils where kumara was abundantly cultivated, which supported thousands of people.”

Among them were the people of Ngati Uepohatu, Te Whanau a Hinetapora, Te Whanau a Hinekehu, as well as others from whom Ngati Porou descend.

“Perhaps when the NZGB goes around from place to place they should form a kahui Māori (advisory board) in each region that includes both male and female,” Miss Warmenhoven said.

“The NZGB ought to take advice from mana whenua experts of regions who can wananga with the board on detail, dialect, ‘accuracy' of local knowledge and history of origin of place names, thereby enabling understanding of the geographic and cultural significance, which in turn enriches the relationship people have to a place.

“This enhances custodianship and respect. That way tauiwi (non-Māori) might further value and understand our culture and identity and their place among us.

“It's a pathway of mutual benefit for both Māori and non Māori,” Miss Warmenhoven said.

The majority of place names approved were a part of the NZGB's “fast track programme” to approve existing place names as official.

Some of the better known place names now official include Wellington, Barrett Reef in Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson), Clareville near Carterton and Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast.

“It may surprise many to learn that the name of the place they live in has not yet been made official, even if it has been used for a long time,” board chair Anselm Haanen said.

“It's important to ensure we preserve and protect place names so that they endure, and we have certainty about their location, extent, origin and authenticity.”

Some of the Māori place names like Tākaka, Eketāhuna and Māhia Peninsula now have macrons applied.

Adding macrons correctly in written Māori makes the meaning of a name clear and assists with pronunciation.

Māori place names, like all place names, have stories behind them, so ensuring their correct spelling will help keep those stories alive.

“Knowing the story behind a name gives it special meaning within the community,” says Mr Haanen.

“When place name proposals are made, having the story is a key criterion in the board's considerations.”

Place names approved in Tairawhiti include — Anaura Bay, Awatere, Awatere River, Awatere Stream, Hangaroa, Hangaroa River, Lake Repongaere, Māhia Canyon, Mangaheia River, Matakaoa Point, Matakaoa Re-entrant, Maunganui, Māwhai Point, Mōtū, Mōtū Falls, Mōtū River, Port Awanui, Pourewa Island, Raukūmara, Raukūmara Range, Repongaere Stream, Tapuaeroa River, Te Ārai River, Te Karaka, Te Karaka Point, Waiapu River, Waiapu Stream, Waihuka River, Waikohu, Waikohu River, Waingaromia River, Waipaoa River, Waipiro Bay, Waipiro Stream, Wharekōpae and Wharekōpae River.

■ The NZGB welcomes any feedback on these decisions — email .

■ For lists of the 699 place names, visit