Banks Peninsula in Canterbury
Pukeatua and Dyers Pass, Ōrongomai and Cass Peak, Tapuwaeharuru and Evans Pass – te reo Māori names have been reinstated for 13 places on Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula.
The te reo names have been officially restored and have the same legal status as their European equivalents.
The changes were proposed by Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke (Rāpaki Rūnanga) to the New Zealand Geographic Board, with Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage formally announcing the changes at Rāpaki Marae on Wednesday.
Ngāi Tahu kaumātua Tā Tipene O’Regan spoke at the announcement, outlining the importance of place names and the stories and ancestors they acknowledged in te ao Māori.
