Maori Place Names

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 16

Maori Place Names

Sir, —In contrast to a recent letter in “The Press,” I think it is highly commendable that the N.Z.B.C. should take every care in the correct pronunciation of Maori place names. It is a pity this was not done long ago. I also applaud the new programmes on the radio regarding the culture and customs of the Maori. These are both interesting and entertaining. I would, however, like to point out that there is no such word as “Maoris” when sneaking in the plural. The word “Maori” is correct in every case. As a pakeha, I am sure my Maori friends will appreciate this.—Yours, etc., A. WALKER. December 21, 1964.

Sir,—Please correct two mistakes which have occurred in printing my letter. The last sentence should read: “It (the N.Z.8.C.) should be encouraged in arresting, in one important way (not ‘day’), spoliation (not ‘spoliation’), which is such a depressing feature of life in New Zealand.”— Yours, etc., W. S. BAVERSTOCK. December 21, 1964.

Sir, —There must be many who agree with your correspondent that the pronunciation of Maori place names now adopted by N.Z.B.C. announcers is faintly ridiculous. Are they hoping that we are all going to start saying “Wai-kah-toe” or “Rahngi-toto”? Obviously we’re not. After five generations of European settlement, the European pronunciation of Maori names is just as established as the Maori. The guard, passing through the railcar from Picton as the little station of Kekerengu approaches, will still (quite rightly) continue to call out “Kick-a-rang.” In a Maori-speaking programme, it is of course correct for the proper Maori pronunciation to be used: in an Englishspeaking programme, it is both pedantic and pretentious —just as if English Canadians should give Montreal the French pronunciation when speaking English.— Yours, etc., H.L.G. December 21, 1964.