Editorial: Many Maori names hold a story

Today is the start of Maori Language Week. It's great our country sets aside a week to celebrate such a beautiful language as te reo Maori.

This year's theme is Nga ingoa Maori (Maori names). In my opinion, it's a great theme - we have a lot of beautiful Maori names in our country and some famous ones as well.

None are more so than Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuatahu, recognised as the longest place name in the world. Translated it means: The hilltop where Tamatea with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his koauau (Maori flute) to his beloved.

Most Maori names either have a story or some sort of history behind them.

For example, my two children were given Maori names. My daughter Hinetekohurangi (Kohu for short) was named after my late grandmother, who was named after her aunty. My cousin also carries the name with pride. The name translated is mist maiden or woman of the mist.

The name has even more significance to my daughter, who is also Tuhoe. The iwi trace their ancestry back to Hinepukohurangi, which is the Tuhoe dialect for my daughter's name.

My son's name is Rongomaitawhiti (Rongomai for short), he was given his name by his late grandmother Kaa Anderson. A beautiful woman, who at the time had traced down and heard from some long-lost relatives overseas. She told me she named him this because roughly translated Rongmaitawhiti means to hear from afar.

I'm proud of both my children's names because they are rich in history and are more than just a label to identifying them.

This is why I believe this year's theme is special - there is more to a name than just the name itself.

So enjoy Te Wiki o te reo Maori, he nga ingoa Maori.