NGARUAWAHIA.
ANOTHER VERSION. Dear Peter Pan, — There appeared an article by one of your Budgetites on local history referring to Ngaruawahia and its meaning, which is entirely wrong. True, two rivers meet there —the Waikato (flowing water) and Waipa (not Waipu, printed, meaning "fortified water ).. According to Maori history, during the Maori wars that particular place was the centre of their stores, placed in pits. These were captured by the British, and the Maoris made ready for the command to "Break into the pit." "Rua," in Maori, means "pit," and "wahia" to break. In no part of the word Ngaruawahia does the word "wai" (water) occur, so you see it can have no bearing on the meeting of the waters. It is a pity proper instruction is not given in our State school concerning the proper meaning of Maori words, for in common with this little girl thousands of others think as she does regarding Ngaruawahia. I hope you do not mind my writing in this connection, but old as I am I find great pleasure in reading the "Budget" every Saturday. Yours faithfully, Budget Reader.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19331025.2.142.5
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 252, 25 October 1933, Page 16
Word Count
186NGARUAWAHIA. Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 252, 25 October 1933, Page 16
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