New Zealand place names
Most New Zealand place names have a
Many of the early Māori names were replaced by Europeans during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Government amendments in 1894 and the establishment of the New Zealand Geographic Board in the mid-1940s led to the encouragement of original Māori names, although differing spellings and anglicised pronunciations persisted. Many names now have alternative or dual English and Māori names or, in a few rare cases, dual Māori names or dual English names. Most names have never been made official, but if they are mentioned in authoritative publications they are considered recorded names. Colloquial names in New Zealand result from an ironic view of the place's entertainment value, or plays on advertising mottos, or are shortened versions of the full name. Some places tried to capitalise on the success of The Lord of the Rings films by linking themselves to the movies.
Country and main islands
No known pre-contact Māori name for New Zealand as a whole survives, although the Māori had several names for the North and South Islands, including
Dutch explorer
The 1840
In 2013, alternative names were formalised for the two main islands, as North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui, and South Island or Te Waipounamu,[15] with either English or Māori name being used or a combination of both.
Māori names
ara | Path or road |
hau | Wind |
maunga | Mountain |
moana | Sea or ocean |
nui | Big |
one | Mud, sand or beach |
puke | Hill |
roto | Lake |
wai | Water |
whanga | Bay |
whenua | Land or country |
Many Māori place names possess either historical or mythological significance. Their meaning is not always apparent from literal translations, but some interpretations have passed down through oral tradition.[17][18] Before the arrivals of Europeans, place names often commemorated notable or historical incidents, described features of the location or derived from traditional Hawaiki names or myths. After European arrival many locations became known under names representing Māori versions of European words or poorly-pronounced contractions of the original Māori names.[17]
Early Māori explorers such as
European arrivals exposed Māori to Christianity, leading to the settlements of
Post-colonial recognition
Early Europeans replaced most of the original Māori names with their own, although they retained some Māori names, especially in the north and central regions of the North Island. The
The NZGB prefers Māori place names and look to restore the original Māori name if it has altered over time. If both names are considered equally significant a place may be given dual or alternative names. The board prefers places to have single names and aims to use just the Māori name eventually.
Māori groups have campaigned to correct inaccurately-spelled or -pronounced
European names
Tasman named a few geographic features as he sailed along New Zealand's west coast. Many such as
Most European names came during the 1840s to the 1910s and were given by surveyors who worked for colonising associations or provincial governments. Names acknowledged the colonising associations sponsors (
Many inland locations (including
Regional patterns
Many Scottish names occur in
Unofficial names
Many of New Zealand's place names have never been officially approved by the NZGB. They either fall outside the board's jurisdiction (homesteads, lighthouses) or were common names before the board was established and have never been officially formalised. Unofficial recorded names are defined as "names that have appeared in at least two publicly available authoritative publications or databases".[26] Such recorded names include those of major cities (Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch), mountains (Mount Tasman, Mount Dampier), islands (Auckland Islands, Great Barrier Island) and many other geographical features.[n 1]
The New Zealand archipelago and various parts of it have acquired a range of colloquial names over the years. Unofficial late 19th-century names for New Zealand included "Maoriland" and "
Many cities and towns have nicknames based on a prominent feature or one which promoters wish to emphasise. Christchurch is promoted as the "Garden City"[49] and Auckland is commonly referred to as the "city of sails".[50] Hamilton acquired the nickname "the Tron" after "Hamiltron: City of the Future" was suggested for a city slogan.[51] Wellington is known as the "windy city" due to its strong and unpredictable winds.[52]
Following the release of
A number of communities have acquired ironic nicknames associating them with the "more exciting" city of Las Vegas; "Rotovegas" for Rotorua,[55] "Ashvegas" for Ashburton, "Invervegas" for Invercargill[56] and "Stokes Vegas" for Stokes Valley.[57] Other areas have nicknames or popular designations based on abbreviations or on mangling their Māori name. New Zealanders will sometimes refer to the
Waikikamukau (/waɪkɪkɑːmuːkaʊ/, as if saying "Why kick a moo-cow") is a generic (and somewhat disparaging) name for a small rural and entirely fictional town or locality in New Zealand.[61]
See also
- List of New Zealand place name etymologies
- List of dual place names in New Zealand
- Locations in New Zealand with a Scottish name
Notes and references
Notes
References
- ^ Mein Smith 2005, p. 6.
- ^ King 2003, p. 41.
- ^ a b Hay, Maclagan & Gordon 2008, p. 72.
- ^ Tasman, Abel. "JOURNAL or DESCRIPTION By me Abel Jansz Tasman, Of a Voyage from Batavia for making Discoveries of the Unknown South Land in the year 1642". Project Gutenberg Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ Wilson, John (March 2009). "European discovery of New Zealand – Abel Tasman". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ John Bathgate. "The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout:Volume 44. Chapter 1, Discovery and Settlement". NZETC. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
He named the country Staaten Land, in honour of the States-General of Holland, in the belief that it was part of the great southern continent.
- ^ Wilson, John (September 2007). "Tasman's achievement". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 16 February 2008.
- ^ Mackay, Duncan (1986). "The Search For The Southern Land". In Fraser, B (ed.). The New Zealand Book Of Events. Auckland: Reed Methuen. pp. 52–54.
- Frederick Warne & Co. p. iii. Retrieved 10 October 2016..
- ^ a b Paterson, Donald (April 2009) [originally published in 1966]. "New Leinster, New Munster, and New Ulster". In McLintock, Alexander (ed.). An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ Brunner, Thomas (1851). The Great Journey: an expedition to explore the interior of the Middle Island, New Zealand, 1846-8. Royal Geographical Society.
- ^ McKinnon, Malcolm (November 2009). "Place names – Naming the country and the main islands". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ Davison, Isaac (22 April 2009). "North and South Islands officially nameless". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ "Confusion over NZ islands' names". BBC News. 22 April 2009.
- ^ Williamson, Maurice (10 October 2013). "Names of NZ's two main islands formalised" (Press release). New Zealand Government.
- ^ OCLC 37527526.
- ^ a b c Dollimore, Edward (April 2009) [originally published in 1966]. "Maori Place Names". In McLintock, Alexander (ed.). An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d "FIG 2010 Conference Paper: Place Naming Legislation in New Zealand" (PDF). Land Information New Zealand. April 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ^ Taonui, Rāwiri (March 2009). "Ngā waewae tapu – Māori exploration – Te Arawa explorers". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ Reid, Darren (March 2009). "Muaūpoko – Early history". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ a b Taonui, Rāwiri (March 2009). "Ngā waewae tapu – Māori exploration – Western North Island". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Events, maps and European influences". teara.govt.nz. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ Clark, Ross (1994). "Moriori and Māori: The Linguistic Evidence". In Sutton, Douglas (ed.). The Origins of the First New Zealanders. Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 123–135.
- ^ Davis, Denise (September 2007). "The impact of new arrivals". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
Before 1835 some Māori came to Rēkohu (Chatham Island) with sealers, and several became residents. One man of Ngāti Toa settled at Wharekauri. Lacking knowledge of the Moriori language, he failed to distinguish between the name for the settlement and the name for the island. On his return to the mainland of New Zealand he spoke of Rēkohu as Wharekauri. It has been called that by Māori ever since.
- ^ "Process For New Zealand Official Geographic Names" (PDF). New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunahao Aotearoa). Retrieved 19 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Help finding names". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
- ^ Thornber, Lorna (16 September 2020). "Is it time to restore all of New Zealand's Māori place names?". Stuff. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Fox, Michael (10 October 2013). "Islands' alternative names confirmed". Stuff. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ McKinnon, Malcolm (November 2009). "Place names – Māori and Pākehā names". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
- ^ Doug Graham. "NZ Government Executive Ngāi Tahu Settlement". New Zealand Government Executive. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Kairangi Name Proposals go to Public Consultation". Land Information New Zealand. August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Consultation on proposed names: Other Considerations". Land Information New Zealand. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Whanganui or Wanganui – it's up to you". The New Zealand Herald. 18 December 2009.
- ^ Beaglehole, Diana. "Whanganui or Wanganui?". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ^ McKinnon, Malcolm (March 2009). "Place names – Early explorers". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ^ McKinnon, Malcolm (November 2009). "Place names – Colonial naming". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ^ http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Gaelic/placenamesC-E.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ McKinnon, Malcolm (March 2009). "Place names – The imperial connection". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ^ a b McKinnon, Malcolm (March 2009). "Place names – Local naming". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ^ McKinnon, Malcolm (March 2009). "Place names – Omissions and minor influences". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
- ^ "New Zealand Place Names Database". Land Information New Zealand. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ "New Zealand Gazetteer of Official Geographic Names". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ Phillips, Jock (March 2009). "The New Zealanders – Maorilanders". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Bracken, Thomas (1843–1898)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ Woodham, Kerre (28 February 2011). "Their spirit is strong". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ Orsman, H.W. (1997). The Dictionary of New Zealand English: a dictionary of New Zealandisms on historical principles. Auckland: Oxford University Press. pp. 931–932.
- ^
Rerekura, Eru (27 July 2015). "New kupu for Māori Language Week". Te Ao Māori. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
Motu (maw-too): This word has about five different meanings but in most cases, and probably 100 percent of the time on Te Manu Korihi, it is used for 'country' when we are describing Aotearoa/New Zealand as a 'nation'. For example: 'Māori leaders from throughout the motu (country) attended the hui (gathering, meeting).'
- ^ motu
- ^ "Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ McFadden, Suzanne (25 August 2010). "Auckland: City of sails". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ Phillips, Hazel (30 November 2009). "Monday News Munchies: Hamiltron has the goods". National Business Review. Archived from the original on 2 December 2009.
- ^ "All About Wellington". Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Lord of the Rings: Magic for New Zealand Tourism?". National Geographic. 19 December 2001. Archived from the original on 27 December 2001. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
- ^ "Airport backs down over 'Wellywood' sign". The Southland Times. New Zealand. 31 March 2010.
- ^ Barber, Lynn (27 May 2002). "Just the spot... for jumping off a cliff". Guardian Unlimited.
- ^ Hay, Maclagan & Gordon 2008, p. 81.
- ^
Boyack, Nicholas (25 January 2020). "In the 'burbs: Deep in Stokes Valley, the community's heart beats strong". Stuff Limited. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
Known affectionately by locals as Snake Gully or Stokes Vegas, it is easy to miss Stokes Valley.
- ^ "TVNZ's Toni ties the knot in the 'Naki". The New Zealand Herald. 6 December 2009.
- ^ McKinnon, Malcolm (March 2009). "Place names – Naming after 1920". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
- ^ Christmas In the Nui & Santa Parade 2019 - "Come have lots of free, Christmas fun together in the heart of Wainuiomata!"
- ^ Gulliver, Aimee (24 January 2014). "This American's got us Kiwis sussed". Stuff. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
Bibliography
- ISBN 978-0-14-301867-4.
- ISBN 0-521-54228-6.
- Hay, Jennifer; Maclagan, Margaret; Gordon, Elizabeth (2008). Dialects of English: New Zealand English. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-0-7486-2529-1.
Further reading
- ISBN 978-0-14-320410-7.
External links
- Place Names & Street Names – Information about the New Zealand Geographic Board, databases of recorded and official names and other relevant information from Land Information New Zealand
- New Zealand Gazetteer of Official Geographic Names – Links to PDFs and Spreadsheets containing all of New Zealands official geographical names.