December 08, 2016
Name change reflects changed attitudes
Three place names in North Canterbury containing the word ‘nigger’ will be changed because of the offence caused by that word.
Land Information Minister Louise Upston says names reflect a time when attitudes towards the word were markedly different to what they are now.
Nigger Stream, near Arthur’s Pass, will be renamed Pukio Stream after a native grass found in the area.
Nigger Hill, to the east of Arthur’s Pass, will be renamed Kanuka Hills after a species of native tea tree that grows in the area.
And Niggerhead above Lake Sumner will be called Tawhai Hill after a species of South Island native beech.
The new names will be listed in the Gazetteer, the official record of New Zealand place names, next Thursday.
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