Kororia Gardiner Ngatai (left) and Kanarahi Poharama from Merivale School. Photo / George Novak
Kororia Gardiner Ngatai (left) and Kanarahi Poharama from Merivale School. Photo / George Novak
Primary school pupils in Parkvale have successfully convinced the Tauranga City Council commissioners to give Yatton Park a dual name in Māori and English.
The name Tutarawānanga will be added to signage in the reserve and will be formally recognised on supporting documents and records alongside Yatton Park.
It comesafter Merivale School students lodged a name change request with the council in December.
The commissioners today approved the dual name for the park.
The full reserve name will be Tutarawānanga – Yatton Park.
The students researched the history of the park and the surrounding area, Parkvale (also known as Merivale). Their research included discussions with a local historian, mana whenua, council staff and elected members.
Merivale School students Kororia Gardiner Ngatai, 11, and Kanarahi Poharama, 10, were at the council meeting today.
Kororia Gardiner Ngatai (left) and Kanarahi Poharama speaking at the Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday. Photo / George Novak
Kanarahi said a group of 12 students from the school had been working on projects to extend their learning and the dual name for their local park was one of them.
"We felt, and still feel, dual signage is important in that it is a spiritual place in Tauranga. We feel adding to the name Yatton Park is more important than changing it completely."
Kororia said they had learned how to research topics and things like who to contact and how the name proposal process worked.
"We have communicated with people by email, phone and even set up meetings in person," she said.
"We would like to thank all those who have helped with our project, especially matua Nick [Lynch-Watson] who has guided us through the process."
After the motion to add the dual name was carried by the commissioners, Kororia said she was happy with the decision.
"[It's cool] because all of our hard work has paid off over the past year."
Kanarahi said the decision was "a surprise. It was cool".
Kororia Gardiner Ngatai (left) and Kanarahi Poharama from Merivale School. Photo / George Novak
Yatton Park was once the site of a Māori pā (a village or defensive settlement) and the first school established in Tauranga Moana was built there. Its teachings focused on celestial knowledge, according to the report in the agenda for today's meeting.
Tutarawānanga was the name of the school and tangata whenua have known the park and surrounding area as the same name.
The site has been recognised as one of the most important historical sites in Tauranga Moana.
Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston said it was important to recognise both names of the reserve and the importance of where they came from.
"I think it's important that we recognise the history of the area and not lose sight of that name in the process."
Tauranga City Council principal reserves planner Nick Lynch-Watson said the name "Yatton" was believed to have come from the owner of the first homestead in the area, John Chadwick.
"[Chadwick] came from Yatton in the southwest of England and named the area Yatton. It's not confirmed but believed he named it after his hometown."
Yatton Park in Parkvale. Photo / George Novak
Lynch-Watson said it had been "a pleasure to work alongside the tamariki" (children) from Merivale School throughout the process and with hapū representatives".
Commission chairwoman Anne Tolley said they were "thrilled" to have students at the council meeting and commended them on the work they had put into the process.
After the motion to approve the dual naming was carried, Tolley congratulated the students.
"Well done," she said. "Thank you very much. Great project and look forward to seeing that sign up."
The name Tutarawānanga was expected to be added to signage in the park within the next few weeks, Merivale School teacher Sarah Talbut said.
Council staff will also work with mana whenua to investigate ways of further recognising the history and identity associated with the name within the reserve.
The standard reserve signage in the park will be updated within council operational budgets.
