Wellington’s wind
Here are some further suggestions from readers for a name for the capital’s wind, plus a poem. This correspondence is now closed.
What’s all the fuss. Why make it sound like a big bad deal, because Wellington people don’t find it a problem. Obviously the name should be The Breeze. – John
Bristed.
The Beehive Bluster. The reason: Even though it’s hot air, it chills us to the bone. – Ray Ferguson, Levin
Wellywind. – Alison Wise
A whimsical thought. Name your wind after a Wellington legend – the genius that was BLERTA. – Bruce Allpress,
Browns Bay
I live at the very south of Wellington. According to the 1976 reproduction of a Lands and Survey map, my house is on land, or near to land, that once contained a Maori pa¯ . The pa¯ was apparently called Uruhau. I believe that means ‘‘Where the wind enters’’ – obviously a southerly. This seems like a great name for one of the winds. – Jo
Horton, Southgate
The Wand – the device most suited to a magical Wellington. Able to cast both good and evil spells. Able to magically bend sculptures and clean the air. –
Charlie O’Reilly
According to Ma¯ ori legend, Wellington Harbour takes its present form as a result of the actions of two taniwha, Wha¯ taitai and Ngake. It was formerly a freshwater lake, before these two decided to attempt to break out into the deep water that they could hear crashing on the far shore beyond. Wha¯ taitai is remembered today through the name of the suburb that (almost) bears his name. Of Ngake there is currently no memorial, so I suggest that our wind be named after him. It is short, and therefore easy to remember and to pronounce for those not fluent in te reo. Permission to use the name should first be sought from local iwi, of course. –
John Galloway, Broadmeadows
If you’re looking for a cool, sexy, name
to sell your most iconic climatic characteristic then you can’t go past The Whisper. Te Ko¯ kihi is like a kiss upon the ear.
– Dave Anderson, Christchurch
The Mistral and Sirocco, seasonal winds which blow from a predictable direction, are well known and understood. For our particular less precise situation could I suggest ‘‘nonpareil’’ – nothing like it? – Judy
Gibb, Belmont
Blow hard Wellingtonians (or Wellies). No offence intended. – Gary Stewart,
Foxton Beach
Brolly Buster, shortened to . . . Bruster.
– RikanAero
How about Cook’s Blowhole . . . – Perry
Cameron, Featherston
The Ventilator. – Warwick Smith,
Paremata
For years I have been not just defending
the winds but praising them as our best dry cleaning system. Imagine what Wellington would look like without them. Call it: Our Cleaner, or if we wish a Ma¯ ori name: Poneki Horoi. – Paul
Franken, Strathmore Park
Wellywind – Obvious; Worsterly – Worst in the world; The Straitener – Cook Strait zephyr!; Winderbeast – Beast of a wind; Wilderbeast – wilder than any other; Poneke Puffer – obvious; Poneke punisher – Poneke gets punished by our wind; Tangi te keo – cry of the wind; Wellesley whirlwind – first Duke of Wellington; Beaufort beater – Obvious; Mister whippy – Obvious; Mississwhippy; Blow nova – Our wind is a star. You may be blown over! – Dayal
Landy, Paraparaumu
As a former Wellingtonian, and visiting for a few days, an ideal name for the wind is The Howler. That is exactly what it is doing – howling around. –
Sally Ferguson, Auckland
The Wellington Whisper. Understatement suggests the opposite through the irony. – Kevin Vincent, Palmerston North