Minister finally announces names for two peaks

A wrangle over names for Central Otago's highest unnamed mountain peaks has finally ended.

''It's taken a long while but I'm perfectly happy with that now,'' Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said, after the Minister for Land Information, Maurice Williamson, announced the names yesterday.

The highest unnamed peak, in a range between the Remarkables and the Hector Mountains, will be called Mt Tuwhakaroria, while the next highest peak, beside it, will be known as Te Karearea Peak.

There was an outcry two years ago when the New Zealand Geographic Board recommended the name Te Kohua for the highest peak, despite strong opposition.

Mr Williamson had the final say on the matter and rejected it as a name and asked the Central Otago District Council for its views.

The council and Mr Lepper, were among those who objected to the name.

Mr Williamson suggested the parties work together to come up with names for several unnamed geographic features in the area.

As a result of that consultation, the council proposed the name Te Karearea Peak, for the native falcon.

Ngai Tahu proposed Mt Tuwhakaroria for the other peak, from a creation legend about the ''treading of the land'' by Rakaihautu, who was said to have formed the great southern lakes with Tuwhakaroria, his formidable digging stick.

Those names were open for submissions earlier this year. Te Karearea Peak attracted 26 submissions, all in favour, while Mt Tuwhakaroria drew 34 submissions in support and three opposed.

The board also recommended Lake Te Kohua, a name suggested by Mr Lepper, for the lake at the base of those mountains, and that name was approved by Mr Williamson. Te Kohua came from the Maori name for a three-legged iron cooking pot.

Ngai Tahu chief Reko guided Otago farmer Nathanael Chalmers through Central Otago in 1853 and was paid with such a pot.

Mr Williamson also approved the dual name of Tapuae-o-Uenuku/Hector Mountains, mooted by Ngai Tahu.

 

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