Long name a drawcard
Porangahau residents want to cash in on the world’s longest place name.
Destination Porangahau, a group formed by local businesses and residents to promote and grow visitor numbers to the the area, have unveiled a plan to lure more tourists by building an information kiosk at the site of Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotam-ateapokauwhenuakitanatah, which is located on Wimbledon Rd only 4km from Porangahau Village.
The group has roughly estimated the costs of the project at $20,570. It approached CHB District Council late last month for funding towards the makeover of the site, which translates to “The summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his nose flute to his loved one”.
Often shortened from its 57 letters to Taumata for convenience, it is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest official place name in the world.
The group’s plan includes building an information kiosk complete with information panels, a pathway to the longest place name sign and a rest area on new landscaped grounds.
Signs would also point out other attractions in the area to tempt tourists to stay longer.
CHB mayor Alex Walker said council’s finance planning committee had recommended council contribute $20,000 towards the plan, funded from the interest generated in 2016/17 by council’s Ward Disbursement Fund.
If approved by the full council, Ms Walker said it would be a joint project between the council and the community group and she supported it going ahead.
“Absolutely. I see it as a great example of a community group that is working really hard at creating opportunities in their area.
“There is a large number of visitors that go past that site every day, let alone every year, so if we can engage with them more in some way, it will bring value to the entire district,” she said.