Residents reject using Ma¯ori name

Members of the community have rejected the idea of renaming the Tekapo Community Board using Takapo¯ – despite use of the correct name continuing to increase.

Every six years the Mackenzie District Council is required to review its election processes, including the names of community boards.

The review surveyed 32 people and found ‘‘the majority prefer to keep the current names, although some say they are willing to consider change if it is suggested’’.

‘‘There was no push from the community to change the name of the Tekapo Community Board to Takapo¯ .’’

Takapo¯, which translates as ‘‘to leave in haste at night’’, is the correct Ma¯ori name for the lake. Tekapo is meaningless in te reo.

Of the 32 respondents to the survey, only two were in favour of changing the name.

One of them said they would ‘‘prefer the correct Ma¯ ori name’’.

The rest either didn’t want a change or said they didn’t have an opinion.

One of those opposed said ‘‘names remain as they are. Takapo¯ is not known elsewhere in NZ or overseas.’’

Another said ‘‘No change needed, let’s not confuse things!’’

Recently, more people and businesses have started to use the correct name.

The Dark Sky Project, launched by Nga¯ i Tahu in partnership with Earth and Sky in 2019, uses Takapo¯/Tekapo throughout its literature and signage.

Mackenzie mayor Graham Smith has started to refer to the town as Takapo¯, and in some official Mackenzie District Council documents Takapo¯ /Tekapo is used.

Te Ru¯ nanga o Arowhenua upoko (head) Tewera King said ‘‘Takapo¯ is the original and correct name, so it’s great to see it being used more commonly’’.

A council spokesperson said the council did not have ‘‘a policy regarding use of te reo in documents and signage but are working to develop one’’.

‘‘In the absence of a formal policy we recognise te reo as one of the official languages of New Zealand and support its use as long as the meaning is clear,’’ the spokesperson said.

‘‘Where report writers (internal or external) have chosen to use dual language we will not edit or remove it before publication (unless the meaning is unclear).’’

The spokesperson said the ‘‘council does not hold a view on a formal name change for Tekapo’’.

Nga¯ Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board secretary Wendy Shaw said the board ‘‘has not received a proposal to change the lake and locality unofficial place names from Lake Tekapo to their correct spelling in te reo Ma¯ ori’’.

‘‘The board would welcome such proposals given that its legislative functions include encouraging the use of correctly spelled original Ma¯ori place names,’’ Shaw said.

‘‘All proposals that the board supports go through consultation with the public and iwi to help inform final decision-making.’’

‘‘Takapo¯ is the original and correct name, so it’s great to see it being used more commonly’’. Tewera King

Te Ru¯nanga o Arowhenua upoko (head)