What’s in a name?
Many places in New Zealand have Maori place names, but most of us read, write or say them every day without knowing what they mean. Here are some Maori place names, together with their meanings: Akaroa (town on Banks Peninsula): long harbour. Aranui (Christchurch suburb): great path. Hakatere (coastal area near Ashburton, also Maori name for Ashburton River): flowing smoothly. Hokitika (West Coast town): turn back.
Hurunui (farming area in North Canterbury): flowing hair.
Kaiapoi (town north of Christchurch): food depot. Kaiata (area east of Greymouth): early morning food. Kaikoura (coastal town in south Marlborough): a meal of crayfish. Motukarara (farming area south of Christchurch): clump of berry trees. Opawa (supurb of Christchurch, also Maori name for Heathcote River): place of the outer pa. Otautahi (Maori name for Christchurch and the Avon River): place belonging to Tautahi.
Papanui (suburb of Christchurch): large piece of lowlying land. Rangiora (town in North Canterbury): good sky or light of day. Rangitata (South Canterbury town): lowering clouds of day. Rapaki (area on northern shore of Lyttelton Harbour): waistband of Te Rangiwhakaputa. Tai Tapu (farming area south of Christchurch): sacred coast.
Tekapo (name of a lake and a river in South Canterbury): sleeping mat.
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Bibliographic details
Press, 2 August 1983, Page 14
Word Count
203What’s in a name? Press, 2 August 1983, Page 14
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