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23 October 2015
Spelling correction sought for Otago rivers
The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (NZGB) wants to hear people’s views on proposals to correct
the spelling of three unofficial recorded geographic names in South Otago.
The correction would see the features named ‘Tokomairiro’ revert back to the original, and correctly spelled,
‘Tokomairaro’ – ‘Tokomairaro River’, ‘Tokomairaro River East Branch’, and ‘Tokomairaro River West Branch’.
“While both spellings were used from the mid-1800s, the NZGB accepts that ‘Tokomairaro’ is correct and describes the
method of pushing waka (canoes) or mōkihi (rafts) along the river with a pole,” says NZGB Secretary Wendy Shaw.
“The NZGB made the proposal after investigation by its Māori Names Committee. Through the proposal NZGB aims to fulfil
its role to correct spelling, and collect and encourage the use, of original Māori place names.”
The NZGB’s Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu member confirmed the original spelling and meaning, which also appears in historic
documents.
“Ngāi Tahu wants the original name’s meaning and story to be used, and correcting the spelling would support this. As
the rivers are popular with recreational users and are well-known locally, the NZGB wants to know what the public
thinks.”
Public consultation will run for three months, from 29 October 2015 to 29 January 2016. Anyone can make a submission in
support of, or objecting to, these proposals. Details of this proposal will be available on the LINZ website from 29
October.
From 29 October submissions can be made in writing to the Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board, via the LINZ
website or to nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz, or via post to: Level 7, Radio New Zealand House, 155 The Terrace, PO Box
5501, Wellington 6145.
Visit the LINZ website for information about general place naming and the NZGB.
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