Mana whenua want to change the name of the Clive River to Mokotūāraro. Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
Mana whenua in Clive (Waipūreku) in Hawke's Bay (Te-Matau-a-Māui) are taking bold steps to reclaim the name of a nearby river, which they say was "usurped" from them.
In the 1970s, after diversion due to flooding, the name of the Ngaruroro Moko-tū-ā-raro-ki-Rangatira River was changed to the Clive River.
Whānau from Kohupātiki Marae, which is near the banks of the river, are trying to get the name changed back with the New Zealand Geographic Board, despite a challenging process.
"Our original name was usurped," kuia and senior member of Kohupātiki Marae Aki Paipper told RNZ.
"Clive who comes from the British armies of India, never even stepped foot in New Zealand."
They asked the Geographic Board if the name could be changed back to Ngaruroro Moko-tū-ā-raro-ki-Rangatira but the geographic board declined, suggesting the whānau come up with a shortened alternative.
They were told the board was concerned about emergency handling.
Kuia and senior member of Kohupātiki Marae Aki Paipper says the name Ngaruroro Moko-tū-ā-raro-ki-Rangatira was "usurped" from them. Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
It was beside the Ngaruroro River, and having a name that was too long and similar to the other river, where there is jetboating and rafting, could confuse emergency services.
So they had to go with a compromise. At a hui on Thursday night, mana whenua decided they would ask the board to change the name from Clive to the shortened version of Mokotūāraro.
"Why we want the name back is for our own spiritual reasons - Mokotūāraro came off the waka Tākitimu," Paipper said.
"He was one of the sons of the high priest, Ruawharo."
Despite some disappointment about not being allowed the full name, Paipper told RNZ being upset would not serve them.
"What we're looking to do is to comply so that we can move forward ... my thing is to take the name 'Clive' away. It does not belong on our river."
Green Party MP Elizabeth Kerekere attended the hui at the marae on Thursday night and in a statement said she was "proud to support the whānau to uphold the mana of their awa".
"We share their anger and disappointment at the way the Geographic Board has made them jump through hoops through this application process. Aki Paipper and Margie McGuire have led this work on behalf of the whānau for years now and although it is a compromise, we have high hopes that the application will succeed this time."
Geographic Board's response
In a statement, Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board secretary /hēkeretari Wendy Shaw said the name was declined because of the possible confusion with the nearby Ngaruroro River.
"We appreciate the desire to restore the river's mana and mauri and the board's secretariat has given the proposers guidance on avoiding duplication if they make another proposal.
"If the board supports the new proposal, we will then consult on it. This public consultation takes up to three months. Anyone can make a submission on a proposal. The board then considers any submissions it receives.
"If there are no objections or the submissions are only supportive, the board will make the proposed place name official. If there are objections to the proposal that the board upholds, the proposal won't proceed. If there are objections, but the board doesn't support them, the final decision will sit with the Minister for Land Information, Damien O'Connor."
Shaw said the process usually took several months, and would likely be considered at the December hui. The final decision would most likely be made between May and June next year.
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