The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MAY 22nd, 1939. NEW ZEALAND PLACE-NAMES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 14, 22 May 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MAY 22nd, 1939. NEW ZEALAND PLACE-NAMES

WITH the approach of the Centennial Celebrations it s interesting to take occasional stock of the original Maori place-names with which our country abounds, behind many of which are such chaimingly quaint stories and legends. Whakatane in this respect is inordinately rich, the whole countryside teeming with tradition and Maori folk lore. The original meaning of the word "Whakatane" is well-known locally, but perhaps not so many persons living beyond the borders of the district are conversant with its interesting origin. Altogether there are three stories or legends in this connection, but all are substantially the same. They point to a singular meaning which may be generated under the heading of "a woman acting the man, or performing masculine work." When one of the migration c'anoe's, the Matatua, touched near the headland, the men either through neglect or fear, abandoned the control of the vessel. Whereat, Wairaka, one of the principal women aboard, seized a paddle and with the sprited words "Kia Whakatane ahau i au" (I will act man and be strong!) turned the canoe and headed back to shore. Thus has been perpetuated the 1 old deed of a wahine, in the dim ages of Maori Mythology. It is interesting to note also that the occupants of this same canoe have left their mark in a score of different place-names in and about the Whakatane district. For instance the name "Toroa," which is given the street running in front of the local police station was derived from the Captain, who piloted the crew through the perilous voyage from Hawaiki. The high priest who gave the crew their spiritual guidance and the blessing of the primal god's, was "Taneatua," hence the name of that thriving town on the plains. His sacred duty was the "keeping" of the "puhi" or feather ornaments which be-decked the prow. The correct name of Opotiki is Pa-Kowhai, Opotiki was the name of an adjacent pool, which was transferred to the township by the misunderstanding of the over-riding pakeha. The original name of Matata was "Te-awa-o-te-atua," meaning "The River of the Gods." The Waimana River is actually the "Tauranga," again the pakeha changed the name, in mistake for a title given to a mere part or feature of the stream. The original name was derived from a food store situated near Tanatana. Ruatoki, (Rua-a-toki) means actually nothing more or less than the "pit or pond of axes." The ancient pa, of the Ngati-Pu-keko, Poroporo, means "segregated or cut off," the upshot being the manner in which the river separated it* from Whakatane. Thus we stand today on the threshhold of Pakeha occupation of one hundred years, reveiwing the history and legends behind the native names which we have learnt to respect and love as though they were our own. The deepest interest attaches to their meaning and as each becomes plainer and more potent, the Europeon mind is seized with the poetry and imager;* of the Maori race of old.