Waipa¯ adopts macron

Waipa¯ District Council has adopted the macron, the first step toward correct pronunciation of Waipa¯ .

The council says it is is working to adopt the conventions of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo (the Ma¯ ori Language Commission) as the standard for all internal and external documents, brands, and signs.

Iwi liaison advisor Shane Te Ruki said it’s a crucial step in the right direction for Waipa¯ , which until now had been using a translation with no relevance or meaning in Ma¯ ori spoken or written language.

Wai’ means water, and ‘pa¯ ’ means to touch or reach, as in a sound reaching the ears.

“Adopting the Ma¯ ori orthographic convention will remove ambiguity and misunderstanding, and lift Waipa¯ District Council’s standard of writing of the Ma¯ ori language to that of best practice,” Te Ruki said.

The council’s strategy and community services group manager, Debbie

Lascelles, said the council is supportive of the use of the macron for the organisation, however in order to adopt the macron for the district, a formal process — which could take up to two years — is required.

Formally changing the district’s name to Waipa¯ requires an application to the New Zealand Geographical Board with evidence of consultation with affected people, including the local community and iwi.

“Bedding down such a change requires time and education for it to become second nature. We have a lot of work to do in that space, and we are working on it,” Te Ruki said.

Council has already updated electronic logos for less than $100, and guidelines were in place for staff to follow.