Wellington takes another step in its te reo journey
Wellington has moved a step closer to realising its vision of becoming a te reo Māori capital city by 2040 after city councillors formally endorsed Paekākā as the te reo Māori name for the landscape area including Wellington Botanic Garden, Anderson Park, the top of the Cable Car, and Bolton Street Cemetery.
Paekākā, meaning realm or perch of the kākā, was historically the name for the general area. It was gifted by Mana Whenua last year following the adoption of the council’s Te Tauihu - Te Reo Māori Policy.
Wellington Botanic Garden. Photo credit: Nick Gee for Wellington City Council.
Mayor Andy Foster says the name recognises the much loved place the Botanic Garden precinct has in the history and future of Wellington.
“Each of the places within Paekākā will retain their existing identities and addresses. For example the Wellington Botanic Garden will become Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā,” says Mayor Andy Foster.
Photo credit: Nick Gee for Wellington City Council.
Councillor Jill Day, the Council’s Māori Partnerships Portfolio Leader, says Paekākā supports the goals of the Council’s Te Tauihu – Te Reo Māori Policy – to increase awareness and improve understanding of the context of te reo Māori within Wellington.
“It also acknowledges early Māori history when kākā were abundant and often trapped for food by local Māori. It is a name that was historically in use in the area, so its use will restore the original Māori name for the area.”
Photo credit: Nick Gee for Wellington City Council.
Councillor Day says that this is a unique naming application because it is not naming a specific open space, road or facility but it is consistent with the goals of Te Tauihu - Te Reo Māori Policy.
Council will apply to the New Zealand Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aoteraroa) to register Paekākā as an official name for the Botanic Garden precinct.
This supports the Board’s statutory functions to collect and encourage the wider use of original Māori place names.