July 23, 2014
City names worth saying
Former All Black Dallas Seymour wants all New Zealand towns and cities to permanently take on their Maori names.
The St Stephen’s old boy from Ngati Hikairo, who has science and forestry degrees from the University of Canterbury in Otautahi, says new Zealanders needs to celebrate their combined heritage.
He says knowing the Maori names of any place has meaning behind it and celebrates the heritage of the people who were here well before European migration.
Having te reo visible daily also makes it normal and an everyday part of life.
Some city names:
Christchurch – Otautahi
Auckland – Tamaki Makaurau
Hamilton – Kirikiriroa
Gisborne – Turanganui a Kiwa
Wellington – Poneke or Te Whanganui a Tara
Hastings – Heretaunga
Napier – Ahuriri
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