Everyone appears to be embracing this new popular wave of “Maoriness” and changing NZ English names to adopt Maori names instead. In Turangi we NZ’ers with an English heritage are outnumbered by the native population. The names of anything can be a sensitive issue so rather than be accused of any cultural denial, TRM’s management has decided to follow the woke trend.
Whether or not SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the Manager of all cultural issues at TRM) agrees, She is commercially savvy enough to realise at some point TRM are obliged to take notice and change with the times.
As indicated below this cultural movement is being led by Toe-Paw Council everywhere we look. Even on the cover of their publicity brochure tourist readers get a lesson on Maori pronunciation – i.e.
Outside this Turangi motel the street name was changed eleven years ago, in 2013, from NZ English – Link Road, to Maori – Piri Road. i.e.
Now She realises it is TRM’s turn, almost inevitable, so Her decision has been made to compromise with a half-Maori and half-NZ English name. From now on, please try to persevere and bear with Her decision-making during the subtle name changeover. It will not affect the traditional manner or trading pattern. TRM will continue serving the best interest of trout fishos in every way we can.
She was anxious to establish this new culturally acceptable identity before someone else did it for Her.
Previously, for the last sixty years, since inception in the late 1950’s the motel was known as Tongariro River Motel, obviously named after the world famous Tongariro River. Above is the original 1950’s signage during the construction of the shop and owner’s accommodation.
Taupahi Road was the main north/south road, previously known as River Road, so the change back to Maori names may have started far earlier than most realise.
The logo above, proudly featured on the office reception gable roof finial, will remain the same. The historical connections are over 300 years old when it was designed for the roof on arguably the most famous fishing cottage in England for Izaac Walton, the legendary fishos’ Father of trout fishing. In commercial terms, the fishy logo should endure any name changes and remain the same.
Depending on who is asked, the name “Tongariro” is derived from the Māori words ‘tonga’ meaning ‘south wind’ and ‘riro’ meaning ‘carried away’. Others advise traditionally in legend, Tongariro is known as the belly of the great fish of Maui which, in time, became known as New Zealand’s North Island. According to the people of Ngati Tuwharetoa, archpriest of the Arawa canoe, Ngatoroirangi, visited Taupo in order to lay claim to the region.
This diverse region is enriched with stories from the region’s tribe Ngati Tuwharetoa and their sub-tribe and guardian hapu, Ngati Hikairo ki Tongariro. The tribes are known as the region’s hau kainga, or ‘true people of the homeland’. To the Ngati Tuwharetoa, the region’s three mountain peaks, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, symbolise the spiritual connection between the community and environment.
SWMBO decided the perfect compromise name would be to adopt a dignified name embracing both cultures. Then nobody will be upset. Her new name is to replace the name of the nearby river that fishos imagine the motel was named for over sixty years, and adopt the Maori spiritual legend for the area “Tongariro”, then follow it with the NZ English description of “River Motel”. By adopting the name “River” is nothing to do with the fishy river but reflects the historic name for the road frontage before they renamed it Taupahi Road. The spelling before and after is surprisingly very similar but the meaning is quite different. A satisfactory compromise acceptable to everyone…
Having set the precedent of following central Government and local Toe-Paw Council examples, SWMBO hopes all other motel tourist accommodation will “Maorify” their names into Te Reo legends too… Now we just have to design Her tattoo. Thank you for your understanding.