The name debate

Readers of both the Cambridge News and Te Awamutu News have responded negatively to a decision to ignore a European name for a Māori one in a new subdivision west of Cambridge.

The Marsden family proposed Marsden Ave or Marsden Lane, citing a possible ancestral link to Rev Samuel Marsden, a missionary who introduced Christianity to New Zealand.

Samuel Marsden

Waipā District Council’s Service Delivery committee approved the name Taawharuwharu Lane for a private right of way.

The council’s naming policy emphasises increasing the use of Māori names, particularly those with local topographical or historical relevance.

We invited readers to tell us what they thought – and almost all preferred to do so anonymously.

There were calls to review the “nonsense” policy and allegation of bias.

“The Marsden family own the land and they have requested it be named after them – simple, just do it,” one reader suggested.

“I cannot believe that a person goes to the trouble of developing a property for housing and is told what name he has to call the street,” another said. “The next thing is we will be told what name you need to call your baby when it is born.”

“…this is bureaucracy gone mad…we do not need to continue naming everything with a Māori name, we are a predominantly English speaking country and need to embrace that culture as well”, another wrote.

See: Friction over road names

Taylor Street at the northern end of Hugo Shaw Drive in Bridleways Estate before it became Don Gerrand Drive.

The gathering of family and friends pictured after the road sign honouring Don Gerrand was unveiled last year. Photo: Viv Posselt

More Recent News

News in brief

Minor delays expected Drivers will experience lane closures next week for surfacing repairs around the new roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 1 and 29 in Piarere. On Monday the SH1 northbound (Hamilton exit)…

Pair bridged the gap

She’s a straight-talking Cambridge farmer and agribusiness consultant with a sharp wit and a love of a good post-game wine. He’s a seasoned grand master from Te Aroha who’s been playing bridge since 1970. Today,…

Lights on at Te Awa

The third edition of Te Awa River Ride’s Light Night will take place next month, as artists continue to add new sculptures along the popular trail. Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust trail manager Sarah…

Licence renewal stalled

The owner of a Cambridge restaurant has been given a month to make significant changes to its ownership structure before Waipā District Council Licensing Committee will consider renewing its on-licence. Jaspal Grewal, co-owner of Koi…