Report for a New Name: Whai Repo Lagoon

Transcription

1 Report for a New Name: Whai Repo Lagoon Wellington City Waterfront MAP/IMAGE/CHART Whai Repo Lagoon Source: NZGB Q-GIS Gazetteer, 13/03/2015 Base map: NZTopo50-BQ31, Crown Copy right Reserved Source: Wellington City Council (from proposal) Whai Repo Lagoon Source: Chart NZ4634, Source: NZGB Q-GIS Gazetteer, 13/03/ /03/2015, Crown Copyright Reserved, not for navigation 29 April 2015 Page 1 of 10

2 SUMMARY The joint proposers, Wellington City Council (WCC) and Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (PNBST), request assigning a new name Whai Repo Lagoon to a small seawater-filled lagoon connected to Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) centrally located on Wellington s waterfront. The lagoon is commonly referred to as Frank Kitts Lagoon, Frank Kitts Park Lagoon, The Lagoon and Aotea Lagoon. These are not official or recorded names. While the lagoon s size is minor, it is significant for its high and diverse recreational and cultural use having become a community hub, especially since the opening of Te Raukura Wharewaka Function Centre in The shared reasons from the proposers for making this proposal include: Its geographical significance on the waterfront in an urban landscape, It being the metaphorical/cultural gateway to Wellington City significant as a safe landing place for cultural events linked with the Aukati city-to-sea footbridge, and because of its close proximity to the former Te Aro Pā site, Its intensive use and value by a diverse range of sporting, recreation, civic, tourist and leisure pursuits/events, Its appropriate description relating to the numerous eagle ray/whai repo within the lagoon, and The belief of mana whenua that the eagle ray/whai repo act as kaitiaki or guardians of the lagoon, Te Raukura and the waka associated with the Wharewaka, ensuring the safety of waka and people in and around the lagoon. Relevant stakeholders were invited to comment on the proposal, resulting in four letters of support. Neighbouring iwi, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa Rangatira Incorporated, was asked for comment but no response has been received. The Council has not consulted with the wider Wellington community. The new Māori name, Whai Repo, is contemporary and descriptive of the numerous eagle ray attracted to the food source within the lagoon, using it also as a haven from predatory orca. The Māori name for the eagle ray is Whai Repo. This Māori name was suggested by mana whenua and supported by Wellington City Council. Assigning a Māori name to this lagoon symbolises and recognises the partnership between mana whenua and Wellington City Council. Assigning a Māori name meets the NZGB s statutory purpose to provide the means for appropriate recognition to be accorded to cultural and heritage values associated with geographic features. Section 3(e) of the NZGB Act 2008 refers. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori has suggest that the Māori name be written as one word, to avoid the literal translation of the component parts of Whai and Repo. The story is compelling; the proposed name offers a unique identity for an area that has become an important community destination warranting naming for cultural, administrative and practical identification reasons, particularly for emergency response given the significant number of people making use of the lagoon and its surrounds. 29 April 2015 Page 2 of 10

3 SECRETARIAT RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation 1 and Recommendation 2 and Recommendation 3 and Recommendation 4 Accept the proposal to assign Whai Repo Lagoon (or Whairepo Lagoon) for a small man-made lagoon on Wellington s waterfront, based on its geographical importance in an urban landscape, cultural importance, significant community use, assistance to identify/locate for emergency management, advice on the orthography from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, and meeting the NZGB s statutory purpose under Section 3(e) of the NZGB Act Notify as a proposal to assign for a period of three months in terms of Section 16 of the NZGB Act Confirm that a press release be issued immediately following this NZGB s April 2015 meeting or at the time of gazette and newspaper notification (ie a month after the meeting), advising of the NZGB s decision (provided the proposal is accepted); and Confirm who will be the NZGB spokespeople in English and in te reo Māori. Note that if Whai Repo Lagoon (or Whairepo Lagoon) becomes an official geographic name, then consideration should be given to recommending a new entry be added to the online Dictionary for New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). OR Recommendation 5 Decline based on the lagoon being a minor feature. OR Recommendation 6 Defer for (i) wider community consultation to be undertaken by the Council and (ii) consultation with neighbouring/overlapping iwi to be completed by Te Puni Kōkiri in terms of the NZGB s Protocol for Māori Names. SECRETARIAT ANALYSIS The Proposal The proposal has been made jointly to the NZGB by the WCC and the PNBST, who are mana whenua for central Wellington. In December 2013 the PNBST requested that the Council assign names to the lagoon and the connecting city-to-sea footbridge. The Council recognised that it has jurisdiction to name the footbridge but that the lagoon name, as a geographical feature, is required to be processed by the NZGB. The Council agreed to support a joint proposal to the NZGB for Whai Repo Lagoon in April The city-to-sea footbridge has been named separately by the Council, Aukati Footbridge. The support for both of these names and the joint proposal strengthens the Council s Capital Spaces Framework, focussing on Strong relationships with Māori to meet Treaty partnership priorities. The Council also considered its Wellington Towards 2040: Smart Capital. The strategy highlights the role of mana whenua and celebrates the visibility of Māori culture and history in the city. It suggests that Council: Use public spaces, buildings, artworks and events as opportunities to 29 April 2015 Page 3 of 10

4 celebrate and reflect the city s relationship with Māori. Acknowledge and identify sites of historical importance to Māori. Acknowledge mana whenua and Wellington whānau, hapū and iwi as important partners in the future cultural, social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the city For the PNBST, the decision to pursue the naming was because of the close vicinity of both the lagoon and the footbridge to Te Raukura Wharewaka Function Centre and the historic Te Aro Pā site. Both Māori names, Whai Repo and Aukati, were gifted by Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust. See letter dated 6 December 2013 from Aroha Thorpe to the Council. Reasons for this Joint Proposal The Council s and Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust s reasons for making this proposal include: Descriptive name (largely extracted from Wellington City Council report 1 NAMING THE LAGOON AND FOOTBRIDGE 2 April 2014: 1.pdf): Whai Repo is the Māori name given to the Eagle Ray. The word Whai Repo is said to derive from two words: Whai stingray, and Repo mudflat. Common habitats of the eagle ray are estuaries and shallow harbours. Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) and the lagoon are no different. It is not uncommon for there to be up to 12 whai repo in the lagoon at one time over the summer months. It is also a common sight to see people pointing and photographing the whai repo that are easily seen when the sun is shining. It is believed that the shallow water and the abundant food attract the whai repo. It is also felt that the lagoon might act as a haven of sorts based on a pod of orca pursuing the whai repo during the 2013/14 summer; the orca were stopped by the footbridge and the shallower depth of water in the lagoon. The whai repo are considered kaitiaki or guardians of the lagoon, Te Raukura and the waka associated with the Wharewaka. As kaitiaki they ensure that the waka return after every journey and that people are safe in their activities in and around the lagoon. Urban geographical importance: The Council recognises the lagoon as being small but in terms of an urban landscape, it is geographically significant, being centrally located along the Wellington waterfront which is one of the city s most distinctive and attractive precincts. It is surrounded by iconic Wellington points of interest: Te Raukura Wharewaka Function Centre, City-to-Sea Bridge (now named Aukati Footbridge), Frank Kitts Park and the Wellington Rowing and Star Boating Club buildings. Cultural considerations: The lagoon has strong cultural significance and has been identified as the best place for a landing site with shelter for the waka of the local mana whenua. Its direct proximity to the former Te Aro Pā site (approximately 400m to the excavation site on Taranaki Street) and its ceremonial links with the Civic Centre (just across the road), add to its special cultural status. Community use: The lagoon is considered to be a gateway out to the harbour providing straightforward and safe access to the water. It is intensely used and valued by a diverse range of people for waterbased sports 1, civic events, recreation, leisure, exercise, tourism/sightseeing, etc. 1 Rowers, canoeists, dragon boaters, kayakers, paddle boaters, waka ama, ocean swimmers, water sports events 29 April 2015 Page 4 of 10

5 Emergency/administrative management: In presenting the above reasons, it is also important to officially name this feature uniquely to assist with emergency service response, maritime safety, navigational aid and event management. Consultation with iwi Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust are mana whenua for central Wellington and because the name Whai Repo Lagoon was suggested by them, no further consultation is required with them. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa Rangatira Incorporated has been asked for feedback on the proposal, but a response has not been received by the Council. Through the NZGB s Protocol for Māori Names, Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has been requested to assist with seeking the views of relevant Māori groups, if TPK considers further consultation is necessary. TPK may provide the NZGB with a verbal update at the NZGB s April 2015 meeting. Note that an intention of the iwi consultation is to determine whether an original Māori name exists for the lagoon. Also, it is important that the contemporary Māori name proposed is supported by other Māori groups with an interest in this area. Consultation by Council with stakeholders The Council sent out an on 26 June 2014 to all of its key stakeholders seeking feedback on the proposal. No information has been received by the NZGB on the full list of stakeholders. The Council received four supporting responses from the Department of Conservation, Waterfront Watch Inc., Inner City Residents Association and the Greater Wellington Regional Council. The Star Boating Club, Wellington Rowing Club and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa Rangitira Inc did not provide responses. Consultation by Council with the wider community The Council has not undertaken any wider public consultation on this name proposal. While not mandatory, section 78 of the Local Government Act 2002 places an obligation on Council s to consult with the community: (1) A local authority must, in the course of its decision-making process in relation to a matter, give consideration to the views and preferences of persons likely to be affected by, or to have an interest in, the matter. (3) A local authority is not required by this section alone to undertake any consultation process or procedure. Despite consulting with targeted key stakeholders, the Council has not extended its consultation to the wider public of Wellington. The NZGB may want to ask the Council to undertake consultation with the wider community. However, the NZGB s own consultation on the proposal (if it is accepted) would mean that the wider community will have opportunity to make submissions (for and against) on this proposal. Previous Correspondence with the Council The Council communicated with the NZGB Secretariat in February 2014 and June 2014, seeking information on the process for making a formal name proposal to the NZGB. Spelling/ Orthography, incl. Te Taura Whiri i te Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (TTWh) confirmed on 16 March 2015 that the correct orthography for the Māori name, Whai Repo, but suggest that the name be written as one word, Whairepo, so as to avoid literal 29 April 2015 Page 5 of 10

6 Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) advice on Māori names translations of the component words Whai and Repo. No macrons apply. Henry James Fletcher s Index of Māori Names 2 hosted by Waikato University, does not list Whai Repo. The Ngata Dictionary translates Whai Repo as Electric Ray. The online Māori Dictionary 3 translates Whai Repo as: 1.(noun) eagle ray, Myliobatis tenuicaudatus - a ray with greenishgrey upper surface and blue markings, pale yellow-white below. Tail is thin with small spines and a small dorsal fin at the base. Historical Maps, Plans No official maps or charts show a name for the lagoon. An early undated Elsdon Best map of Wellington shows Te Aro Village: Research/History/ References The lagoon is known locally as Frank Kitts Lagoon, Frank Kitts Park Lagoon, The Lagoon and Aotea Lagoon. There are no records in the NZGB s archives relating to Whai Repo or Frank Kitts. Frank Kitts Park was completed in the late 1980s adjacent to the existing lagoon. Online usage of Frank Kitts Park Lagoon and Frank Kitts Lagoon appears to be extensive, particularly for tourism/destination sites. The lagoon was part of a marine park developed in the early 1970s. The Harbour Board was carrying out reclamation but had to leave an area of water for the rowing clubs to have access to their buildings. Redevelopment of the lagoon occurred in the late 1980s and in The concept of a wharewaka building next to the lagoon was first suggested in It was opened in Previously the area where Te Raukawa Wharewaka Function Centre sits was harbour frontage to the former Te Aro Pā, one of the largest Māori communities in Wellington up until the 1880s. The name Whai Repo Lagoon was gifted by mana whenua (Mark Te One) referring to the abundance of eagle ray attracted to the food source within the lagoon and also using it as a haven from their predator orca. The New Zealand Eagle Ray is described in Wikipedia 4 on 14/03/2015: April 2015 Page 6 of 10

7 NZGB Act 2008 Section 3(e) of the NZGB Act 2008 refers: provide the means for appropriate recognition to be accorded to cultural and heritage values associated with geographic features. Policy from Frameworks version 6 Broadly the criteria appropriate for this proposal are: a name that has a strong historical, geographical or local significance, a name that commemorates a notable event, person or group of people, a descriptive name, and a minor feature Section 26 Name duplication: Descriptive names can be used provided there is no duplication of the name in a neighbouring area. Section 27 Names for previously unnamed features or places: The Board may consider proposals for previously unnamed geographic features or places, submitted under section 15 of the Act. Section 28 Naming of minor features: Generally, the Board will not consider a name proposal for a minor feature. Despite the above principle, in special circumstances, the Board may consider a name proposal for a minor feature including historic sites and places. Maps and charts may not necessarily show names for minor features, for cartographic reasons, based on scale and readability. Section 25 Dual and alternative naming: an option to assign a dual name (such as Whai Repo / Frank Kitts Lagoon) is not recommended as: it would be too long for such a small feature, the names are not equally significant, The Māori name component is not original, but contemporary, Frank Kitts is already commemorated in the park s name. New Zealand Gazetteer Neither Whai Repo nor Frank Kitts are listed in the NZGB Gazetteer. Frank Kitts Lagoon, Frank Kitts Park Lagoon, The Lagoon and Aotea Lagoon are all local/common use names. None have been recorded on official maps and charts April 2015 Page 7 of 10

8 Location/Extent of Feature The lagoon is an open public area, centrally located along the Wellington waterfront. It is a small sea water filled lagoon connected to Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) through a narrow channel. It is surrounded by the Te Raukura Wharewaka Function Centre, city-tosea footbridge (now named Aukati Footbridge), Frank Kitts Park and the Wellington Rowing and Star Boating Club buildings. The lagoon is man-made, dating from the early 1970s, being less than 50 years old. There is an element of national identity associated with this lagoon as it is used for major cultural and civic events and national/international water sporting events. For example, waka ama championships, Prince Charles and Camilla visit the Wharewaka in November Assigning a new name to the lagoon may attract some criticism from Wellingtonians who use the commonly applied Frank Kitts names for the feature. The extent/boundary of the lagoon is well defined. Generic Feature The online Glossary of Geology 5 (source 14/03/2015: describes: lagoon [coast] (la-goon') (a) Typically, a narrow water body that is parallel to the shore and is between the mainland and a barrier and parallel to the shore. Little or no fresh water in flux and limited tidal flux cause elevated salinities (Davis, 1983). (d) The term has been widely applied to other coastal features, such as an estuary, a slough, a bayou, a marsh, and a shallow pond or lake into which the sea flows. Etymol: Latin lacuna, "pit, pool, pond". Syn: lagune; laguna [coast]. Sp: albufera (cost). There are numerous other named coastal lagoons around New Zealand, some of a similar size, eg Amberley Beach Lagoon, Mimimoto Lagoon, Ngatotara Lagoon, Ounatai Lagoon. The generic Lagoon appears to be appropriate for this proposal and the English type is appropriate to be used with the specific Māori component of the name, so as to assist with location identification. Duplication and Associative Names Frank Kitts Park Lagoon and Frank Kitts Lagoon need not be the default name for the lagoon by association. Frank Kitts is already commemorated and therefore need not be duplicated for the lagoon name. There are no duplications of Whai Repo (or Whairepo) in New Zealand. There are no named features associated with this proposal that use Whai Repo (or Whairepo). The lagoon is connected to Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson). Hydrographic Considerations There are no adverse maritime safety or hydrographic aid implications in respect to naming this lagoon. The navigational lights and beacons and other aids close by serve the busy port of Wellington. Commercial activities in and around the lagoon are limited. Rather, its focus is recreation, sport and leisure, with only small water craft able to enter the lagoon. Emergency Services There are unlikely to be major concerns for emergency management if the lagoon is officially named. Having a unique name for the lagoon can only serve to improve emergency response to the lagoon in the future April 2015 Page 8 of 10

9 Addressing Implications There are no addressing implications as the lagoon name is not used for this purpose. Costs costs for updating signage, promotional material, maps, charts, databases, etc, would be completed over time and in the course of usual maintenance programmes, so they are not of material concern. Media Local media reported positively on the intention by the Council to name Whai Repo Lagoon in April/May There appeared to be no adverse reaction from the community. There will again be media interest in this proposal if it is accepted by the NZGB and proceeds to be publicly notified/consulted. The level of controversy/objection is unknown. A media release is recommended either immediately after the NZGB meeting on 29 April 2015 or a month later when the NZGB notifies the proposal, if accepted. New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary There is no standardised New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) sign for Whai Repo or Eagle Ray or Lagoon in the online Dictionary. Both the official language NZSL and New Zealand s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) provide a basis for the NZGB to recognise the existence and importance of geographic names as they are expressed in NZSL. Consideration may be given by the NZGB to recommending that Whai Repo Lagoon be added to the online Dictionary if it becomes official. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 1. Proposal for Whai Repo Lagoon Letter from Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust to Wellington City Council Draft Media Release and Draft Key Messages 29 April 2015 Page 9 of 10

10 Source: Wellington City Council (from the proposal) 29 April 2015 Page 10 of 10