Treaty Settlement Renames Iconic Sites In Central North Island
Mountains, a lake and scenic reserves are some of the sites that have been renamed.
Tribal place names have been restored for prominent landmarks and places across the central North Island.
Eleven name changes to mountains, a lake, scenic reserves and other places have been made following the treaty settlement of iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua.
The changes gazetted by Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board include seven new and altered geographic names, including two Crown-protected area names.
Four Crown-protected area names have been discontinued.
Lake Hawkes, a lake 19km west-northwest of Waimarino, which feeds into Waikauwau Stream, is now Lake Pohoare.
Mount Dawson, 24km west-northwest of Waimarino, is now Ōruru Maunga.
Tahora, a small site on State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway, 14km north-northeast of Whangamōmona, is now Tahorapāroa, and Tahora Saddle, a pass on the highway about 10km north-northeast of Whangamōmona, is now Tahorapāroa Saddle.
The fifth altered name is Mount Humphries in the Matemateaonga Range, 45km east of Stratford, which becomes Whakaihuwaka Maunga.
A new Crown-protected area name has been created.
A large scenic reserve extending from immediately west of Waimarino, south to Horopito, has been named Ngātokoerua Scenic Reserve.
The reserve has been created through the reclassification of Erua Conservation Area and Erua Forest Sanctuary as a scenic reserve.
Another Crown-protected area – a scenic reserve on State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway, about 15km north-northeast of Whangamōmona – has been changed from Tahora Scenic Reserve to Tahorapāroa Scenic Reserve.
The names Erua Forest Sanctuary (for a sanctuary area 6km south-southwest of Waimarino), Ngapakihi Scenic Reserve and Raetihi Scenic Reserve (for scenic reserves immediately south of Raetihi), and Pipiriki Scenic Reserve (for a scenic reserve at Pipiriki) have been discontinued.
The Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Act 2025 came into effect in March, bringing an end to decades of claims work by the people of Uenuku, Tamakana and Tamahaki (represented collectively as Te Korowai o Wainuiārua) over breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Geographic Board gazetted the changes last week.
In December last year, Land Information Minister Chris Penk approved changing the name of National Park Village to Waimarino, following a request by Te Korowai o Wainuiārua researchers.
Waimarino is the original Māori name for the area, referring to 'calm waters' pooling on the plains as they leave the mountain.
The Geographic Board considered more than 2000 submissions on the proposal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
28-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Bay of Islands hapū achieve Ngāpuhi-first Treaty of Waitangi milestone
The hapū grouping's area of claim encompasses most of Pēwhairangi/the Bay of Islands. It includes the eastern Bay of Islands' Ipipiri Islands, where wealthy American writer Zane Grey set up his gamefishing base at Urupukapuka Island's Otehei Bay in 1926, going on to dub New Zealand the 'Angler's El Dorado'. It also includes Motukōkako (Piercy Island), which features the internationally famous Hole in the Rock boat trip tourist destination, and Cape Brett. Rihari said Te Whakaaetanga Trust's Crown Deed of Mandate had been recognised after 18 years' mahi. Te Whakaaetanga Trust chairman Herb Rihari. Te Whakaaetanga Trust's achievement comes 14 years after the Government's controversial 2011 Tuhoronuku Deed of Mandate, which was towards a single settlement for all of Ngāpuhi. That deed was rescinded in 2015, after major rejection from within the iwi's 100-plus hapū. The July Deed of Mandate meant the Crown formally recognised the trust's mandate to negotiate a Treaty of Waitangi settlement on behalf of its affiliated hapū. Rihari said it also opened the door to 'negotiate redress that acknowledges the maemae [hurt] of the past and creates meaningful opportunities for our hapū and mokopuna'. 'It provides a foundation for enduring redress, cultural and economic revitalisation and the restoration of hapū mana across our rohe,' Rihari said. Te Whakaaetanga Trust represents coastal hapū Ngāti Kuta, Ngāti Manu me ngā hapū rīriki – Te Uri o Raewera and Te Uri Karaka, Ngāti Torehina ki Matakā and Patukeha. The trust is made up of two people from each of the hapū it represents. Rihari said the hapū grouping's area of claim approximately encompassed an area bounded in the north by the Bay of Islands' Purerua Peninsula. Its boundary ran from the peninsula's tip, southeast across the waters of the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and Rāwhiti. Rihari said the boundary then travelled southwest to Karetu. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith (front, second from left) at a Te Kotahitanga meeting in the Bay of Islands. Photo / Susan Botting From there, the claim's western boundary headed roughly north to Tapeka Point and included the settlements of Ōpua and Russell. It continued northwards across Bay of Islands waters, including Moturoa Island, to Te Puna Inlet. From there it stretched to the northern side of Purerua Peninsula, the claim encompassing all of the landform to the east and including the maunga (mountain) Matakā at the peninsula's tip. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith told Local Democracy Reporting Northland the Crown Deed of Mandate for Te Whakaaetanga was a positive achievement. 'We're pleased to be making progress,' Goldsmith said. Northland Māori leader and Te Kotahitanga co-chairman Pita Tipene said it was a major milestone for Ngāpuhu hapū working towards Treaty of Waitangi redress. It offered a model for Ngāpuhi tribes, such as those around Waimate, Taiamai, Kaikohe and Whangaroa, who were collectivising towards the same goal. Tipene said it was important the Government approached any Ngāpuhi Treaty of Waitangi hapū redress on a hapū-based commercial and cultural basis. However, Goldsmith poured cold water on that. 'The Government has indicated its preference for a single financial redress for Ngāpuhi, with a small group of cultural-based settlements sitting underneath,' Goldsmith said. 'Te Whakaaetanga is now mandated as one of the groups with which we will be discussing a cultural settlement.' Rihari said the next stage would be preparation for formal negotiations with the Crown and the trust was committed to ongoing kōrero with all who 'held an interest in our shared future'. Rihari said many hands, hearts and minds – past and present – had contributed to the kaupapa of achieving the deed of mandate milestone over many years. 'Ehara tēnei i te mahi māmā, engari he mahi nui mō ngā uri whakatupu. Mā tātou katoa tēnei e kawe, mā te rangimārie, mā te kotahintanga, mā te aroha hoki. 'This is not easy work, but it is important work for the generations to come. Together, through unity, peace and aroha, we carry it forward.' ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
19-06-2025
- Scoop
Largest Maritime Navigation System Upgrade In Decades
Associate Minister for Transport The Government is making New Zealand more attractive to international shipping lines with the first major investment in navigation services in more than 30 years. Land Information Minister Chris Penk says the $28.6 million Budget 2025 funding secures the future of shipping, tourism and the maritime economy – highlighting the Government's commitment to back economic growth. "The investment enables safer and faster access to New Zealand's ports, keeping trade flowing smoothly and reliably and provides confidence in shipping. This is key as more than 99 percent of our imports and exports move by sea. "Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and Maritime New Zealand are working together to create high-tech digital navigation tools based on the global S-100 standard. These tools will make navigation more precise, helping ships save fuel and cut costs while operating in our waters. 'The initiative will transform how mariners access and use data such as electronic charts, water levels, ocean surface currents and navigational warnings.' Associate Transport Minister James Meager says the investment benefits both economic growth and maritime safety. 'Modern digital maritime data and services will enable freight-efficient, environmentally responsible shipping routes that boost trade and investment across the Pacific. 'The investment in high-tech infrastructure ensures our maritime and tourism sectors are ready to thrive, while enhancing safety and efficiency. 'Importantly, it positions New Zealand at the forefront of the shift to digital navigation technology, and signals to the world that we're serious about supporting innovation, sustainabilitty and welfare at sea. 'Beyond New Zealand's coastline, this initiative supports safer, more efficient shipping across our wider maritime region – including Antarctica and South-West Pacific nations such as the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, and Tokelau. 'As we celebrate Matariki and reflect on New Zealand's rich cultural history of navigating by the stars, now is the perfect time to look ahead toward building a resilient maritime economy for future generations.'
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Scoop
Te Hangāruru Cycle Trail: Key Section In Mountains To Sea Ride Opens In June
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter Iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuirua is working with the Ruapehu District Council and other stakeholders in the central North Island to build the trail connecting Waimarino (formerly National Park village) to Horopito, and eventually to Pkk. Trail builders are three weeks away from opening the newest section of the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride cycle trail. When complete, the 29.4km Te Hangāruru Cycle Trail will deliver the infamous 'missing link' in a multi-day adventure ride, starting on the volcanic slopes of Mt Ruapehu and ending at the Tasman Sea in Whanganui. Iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua is working with the Ruapehu District Council and other stakeholders in the central North Island to build the trail connecting Waimarino (formerly National Park village) to Horopito, and eventually to Pōkākā. Trail manager Lynley Twyman said construction of this section began in October 2023 and was being built in stages as funding came in. Te Hangāruru will feature boardwalks, 17 bridges and four suspension bridges over a track through subalpine landscape, including podocarp forests. The country's longest suspension bridge, stretching 200 meters across the Makatote River, will be built in a later stage of the project. Earlier this month, teams from Midwest Helicopters, Abseil Access and Impel 2010 installed a 30m suspension bridge over the Mangaturuturu River, and trail builders are working now on completing the approaches. Another 99m suspension bridge will be built over the Manganui-o-te-Ao in the next phase of works, and an underpass under the Main Trunk Line, just north of Pōkākā, is under construction. 'Once complete, this trail will be another jewel for the Ruapehu community and an unforgettable ride or walk for adventurers across Aotearoa,' Twyman said. Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust, which oversees the trail, is seeking final funding for the last phases of the trail. 'But we're building everything we can now, with the resources we have,' Twyman said. The Trust is chaired by Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe. Members include Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton, Tūpoho iwi representative Chris Kumeroa, Ngāti Rangi's Ngā Waihua o Paerangi pouārahi Helen Leahy, Te Korowai o Wainuiārua chair Aiden Gilbert, Whanganui Māori tourism representative Hayden Potaka, and Whanganui District Council representative Rory Smith. The completed Mountains to Sea trail will offer more than 320km of connected trails, including stretches through two national parks and alongside the Whanganui River. It will become one of the 23 Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Ngā Haerenga. The first 9km of Te Hangāruru – 'a fabulous piece of track' – will open on June 19. The Trust is calling for community volunteers to pitch in from 10am on Sunday, 1 June, to plant 800 locally sourced native trees and shrubs around the Horopito trail head, opposite Horopito Motors (also known as Smash Palace). The planting is part of a rehabilitation project for land that was returned to Te Korowai o Wainuiārua by the Crown earlier this month under treaty settlement. 'It was covered in rubbish and pest plants like gorse, broom and blackberry. It has been cleaned up with care – now it's our turn to give back,' Twyman said. 'This planting is all about rehabilitating the whenua, making sure we're contributing back to the environment and our people. 'The community keeps asking how they can help – this is how. Bring your spade, scissors, boots and lunch, and get stuck in.' Twyman said Te Hangāruru gives riders a front-row seat to 'seriously stunning central plateau scenery'. 'You'll cruise through native forest, alongside relics from early timber milling days, and beautiful farmland.' Towering above the landscape is Hauhungatahi, at 1521 meters one of New Zealand's tallest volcanoes. 'What makes it truly unique is that it's built atop an upfaulted block of ancient mesozoic marine sediment – rock that once sat on the seafloor,' Twyman said. 'The lava that formed Hauhungatahi erupted around 900,000 years ago, making it more than three times as old as Mt Ruapehu.' The completed trail will feature an 18km section of the historic Marton Sash and Door tramway route, built in the 1920s for locomotives to take logs from Waimarino and Ngātokoerua to the town of Marton, south of the plateau.
