Fear of confusion sparks Manutahi Park name rethink
The park is a planned green space in Lepperton village, about 15km from New Plymouth, on the site of a hall demolished three years ago.
New Plymouth District Council asked mana whenua about a name for the park, and Manutahi was suggested by Puketapu hapū.
Manutahi remembers the name of the Māori village where Lepperton now stands, as well as nearby Manutahi Pā which was built to defend against British invasion in the Taranaki Wars.
The name – literally One Bird — references local bird-hunting forests and is supported by neighbouring Pukerangiora hapū.
ADVERTISEMENT
When LDR visited the village, a taonga pūoro practice at Lepperton School by coincidence featured carved instruments inspired by birds: the literal translation of Manutahi is 'one bird'. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting)
Manutahi is already widely familiar: it's the name of one of the two country roads intersecting in the village.
But a council report says consultation found some locals worried that people would confuse the new park's location with an even smaller hamlet – also called Manutahi – 80 kilometres away between Hāwera and Pātea.
"Generally, those who did not support the name felt that [Manutahi Park] did not reflect the Lepperton location and non-locals will not know where it is," staff reported.
"The name 'Manutahi Park – Lepperton' is proposed to address this potential confusion."
Although, perhaps confusingly, not necessarily as the official name.
"The addition of Lepperton… could either be a formally recognised part of the name or a component that is put in place as required to confirm the location, as opposed to formally recognised as part of the park name."
ADVERTISEMENT
Council policy is that reserves' names reflect history.
"If there is a strong Māori cultural connection to a reserve, a Māori name should be considered in consultation with mana whenua.
"Likewise, a strong European cultural connection to a reserve should result in an appropriate European name.
"Where appropriate, both Māori and European names will be used."
The report recognises the name might be disputed.
"There is a risk that adding the location descriptor of Lepperton to the name could be seen as not needed by hapū and/or some of the community that were supportive of the proposed name."
Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell Lepper was a British soldier with the 14th Regiment, redeployed from colonial duties in Ireland to fight Taranaki Māori in 1860.
ADVERTISEMENT
Taranaki Military Settlers – including their commander Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell Lepper – were volunteers rewarded with Māori land in return for 'policing duties'. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting)
Retiring from the Empire's army, Lepper then commanded the Taranaki Military Settlers – volunteer troops who were rewarded with land taken from Māori in return for 'policing duties'.
In 1865 the area was proclaimed confiscated and Manutahi declared a military settlement.
Lepper was honoured with the town's name and the family thrived on that confiscated land, with many descendants also recognised on Lepperton's war memorial obelisk and as contributors to Lepperton School.
Locals who spoke with Local Democracy Reporting said they were not confused about Manutahi.
Out with the grandkids, Lindy Moratti said she didn't even know where the other Manutahi is.
Manutahi is also a tiny town on State Highway 3 in South Taranaki, an hour's drive from Lepperton. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting)
ADVERTISEMENT
"I cannot see any issue with it, I would not think that would be a problem at all.
"To me it's very, very clear and very obvious that it would be here."
Speedway driver Sean Price didn't think Manutahi alone would confuse people, but was happy either way.
"I'm on the fence really," he said.
"Definitely you know where it is, if you say Lepperton – I mean, that confirms it. Lepperton would be bang on."
Dave Trinder was delivering taonga pūoro, traditional musical instruments, to Lepperton School for a practice session with students.
He deferred to hapū leaders with more knowledge, but neither he nor the kids helping with the taonga had any confusion about Manutahi.
The naming decision goes before NPDC's iwi committee Te Huinga Taumatua on Tuesday afternoon.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
11 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Farming native wildlife: Could commercialisation boost conservation efforts?
However, weka are protected and considered a vulnerable species - there are thought to be between 70,000 to 120,000 weka. 'The weka is an interesting species in New Zealand because it's not quite endangered as other native species like the kākāpō or takahē.' He said New Zealand's conservation efforts were at a 'crossroads', with mounting ecological and funding challenges, requiring some number 'From an economic and institutional perspective, commercialisation presents an opportunity for self-sustaining species management through strategic resource redistribution throughout the conservation sector.' In international examples, such as buffalo in parts of Southern Africa and alligators in the United States, Mark said commercialisation had ultimately led to an increase in numbers for those animals. However, commercialisation could also lead to further population decline, like the overfishing of North Atlantic Cod off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Locally, he also drew from the tītī or muttonbird harvest experience; Rakiura Stewart Island whanau and hapū are able to harvest muttonbird between April 1 and May 31 each year. Though they are primarily harvested for cultural or customary purposes, they can also be sold commercially. Mark said it had worked 'quite successfully', noting the importance of any commercialisation aligning with Māori perspectives on the practice and the Treaty of Waitangi. 'It is the most distinctive example of ongoing sustainable native bird harvest in New Zealand.' Mark said that commercialisation offered a way for many different groups in New Zealand to become directly involved in conservation, including Māori, landowners and hunters. It could also allow for both conservation and economic gains, he said. He said a more detailed analysis would need to be worked through before such a policy was enacted. - RNZ
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Could farming native wildlife boost numbers? New research looks at how commercialisation might help
Weka Photo: (Flickr user Sid Mosdell CC BY 2.0) Could farming native wildlife like the weka be the key to helping boost their numbers? That's the focus of a recent research paper by a Victoria University of Wellington graduate who looked at how commercialising native species might help with conservation. Dray Mark said he first got the idea to look into this strategy after reading an old news article about a South Island farmer trying to farm and sell weka. Also known as the Māori or bush hen, there is a history of weka having been eaten in the past. However, weka are protected and considered a vulnerable species - there are thought to be between 70,000 to 120,000 weka. "The weka is an interesting species in New Zealand because it's not quite endangered as other native species like the kākāpō or takahē." He said New Zealand's conservation efforts were at a "crossroads", with mounting ecological and funding challenges, requiring some "outside the box" thinking. "From an economic and institutional perspective, commercialisation presents an opportunity for self-sustaining species management through strategic resource redistribution throughout the conservation sector." In international examples, such as buffalo in parts of Southern Africa and alligators in the United States, Mark said commercialisation had ultimately led to an increase in numbers of those animals. However, commercialisation could also lead to further population decline like the overfishing of North Atlantic Cod off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Locally, he also drew from the tītī or muttonbird harvest experience - Rakiura Stewart Island whanau and hapu are able to harvest muttonbird between 1 April and 31 May each year. Though they are primarily harvested for cultural or customary purposes, they can also be sold commercially. Mark said it had worked "quite successfully", noting the importance of any commercialisation aligning with Māori perspectives on the practice and the Treaty of Waitangi. "It is the most distinctive example of ongoing sustainable native bird harvest in New Zealand." Mark said that commercialisation offered a way for many different groups in New Zealand to become directly involved in conservation, including Māori, landowners and hunters. It could also allow for both conservation and economic gains, he said. He said more detailed analysis would need to be worked through before such a policy was enacted. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
14 hours ago
- NZ Herald
99 Years young: Neil Olsen, the cheeky farmer who stole Zoe's heart
He worked in the Far North gum fields and later married Namaha Hakitara, daughter of Te Rarawa chief Hakitara of Peria – one of the Māori signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. They bought farmland which was later taken over by their grandsons Neil and his brother Sid. Neil went on to marry Zoe and they raised six children on the farm. Neil an avid sportsman, played tennis, golf and rugby. He met Zoe on the tennis courts, he recalled. 'They put us together in mixed doubles. We were a bit cheeky to each other and yeah, from there it got serious.' They later got married and the couple continued playing tennis and golf together, always sharing laughs. Neil and Zoe Olsen's wedding was a joyous occasion attending by many Peria residents. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya Neil remembered the day they got married and said it was quite the affair. 'We got married at our local church, just down the road, and it was quite a big wedding. There were lots of people there. When we walked out the whole community was there, it was beautiful.' While being a year closer to a hundred and being married for 70 years were among his achievements Neil was proud of his golfing career. He scored a hole-in-one in 1994 and is proudly the oldest member of the Whangaroa Golf Club. Zoe said for as long as they have been married, they have always been there for each other. 'My mum has dementia, and my dad looks after her fulltime. That is love, you look after each other,' said one of their daughter's, Ava Herron, who lives nearby in Coopers Beach and checks in regularly on her parents. She said her parents were a great example to them and she was grateful for the life their parents gave them. Zoe Olsen and her daughter Ava Herron going down memory lane. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya 'We were very happy. We all had to work on the farm. It taught us kids to be quite self-sufficient. I think that was the best childhood. They have given us a lot of good values.'' Kaye Dragicevich has known the couple for over 20 years and said they have been long-cherished members of the Peria community. 'They are a much-loved couple who have earned deep respect and affection for generations of locals.' She remembers them fondly from her days working at the National Bank. 'Zoe, always thoughtful and kind, was known for creating beautiful bouquets and small gifts, often giving them to friends and neighbours just to brighten their day. Neil, ever active, remains a keen golfer and is proudly the oldest playing member of the Whangaroa Golf Club. Still driving and enjoying life.' She said Neil and Zoe have led rich and rewarding lives and she was happy to know them. 'As Neil celebrates his 99th birthday, the community of Peria joins in honouring a remarkable life of dedication, family, and quiet achievement. 'Together, Neil and Zoe have an enduring legacy – not only through the land they loved and worked, but through the warmth, kindness, and integrity with which they've touched so many lives. 'Congratulations Neil, Happy Birthday.' The family will be celebrating with a small get-together and has plans of a bigger party when Neil turns 100 next year.
