Landmark set to change name

Press, 7 August 1985, Page 8

Landmark set to change name

PA Wellington Mount Egmont is set to be renamed Mount Taranaki, in line with the wishes of the Maori people of Taranaki. The New Zealand Geographic Board yesterday approved an application by the Taranaki Maori Trust Board to rename the Taranaki landmark known to the Maoris as Taranaki but renamed by Captain Cook in 1770 after John Percival, second Earl of Egmont. Public submissions on the decision are now being sought by the board, which will report on them to the Minister of Lands, Mr Wetere, in three months. The final decision will rest with Mr Wetere. Yestarday’s decision was unanimous, said the board’s secretary, Mr Kerry

Twydle. The original proposal had been received in March this year, but a decision had been delayed until all seven board members could attend the special meeting. Mr Twydle said three resolutions were agreed to: © To revert officially to the mountain’s original name t>f Taranaki, but retain Egmont as an alternative name. ©To prefix Taranaki with the English “Mount,” rather than the Maori language equivalent. © To maintain Egmont in other place names such as Cape Egmont and Egmont Village. If Ministerial approval was given to the name change, maps would be changed when they came up for review, Mr Twydle said.