Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board has announced the official name Maungatūtū for a hill 10km south of Tauranga.

The announcement follows public consultation between November 2021 and February 2022.

After considering submissions, the Board put its recommendation to Land Information Minister Damien O'Connor, and he agreed with it.

'I'm pleased that we have this opportunity to restore the original Māori name for the maunga,” says O'Connor.

Supplied image.

The name Mount Misery has never been official but is believed to have come into local use around a century ago, as locals struggled with poor farming conditions.

Board Chairperson Anselm Haanen says the change addresses challenges arising from multiple places with the same name.

'Despite the negative connotations, Mount Misery is a surprisingly common name.

'There are 21 other Mount Miserys in New Zealand – including one that is only 60km away at Morrinsville. Removing this duplication helps remove potential confusion and makes it easier to identify a site – particularly for emergency services.”

The maunga is an extinct volcanic cone, marking the rohe of several iwi and hapū from Tauranga Moana.

Haanen says the Board actively encourages the use of original Māori names, especially when there is support from mana whenua.

Haanen notes that Maungatūtū is referred to in multiple Treaty settlements.

'Ngāi Te Ahi and Ngāti Hē are kaitiaki and mana whenua of the maunga – and both used the name Maungatūtū. Ultimately the Board recognised the whanaungatanga between the iwi and hapū groups with interests in the maunga and recommended Maungatūtū as the most appropriate name.”

About Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa

• Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board is an independent statutory body. The Board is supported and administered by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand.
• Anyone may propose a name for a geographic feature or place. We use naming guidelines, standards, policies and international good practice for standardised, consistent, and accurate naming, to help us make robust and enduring decisions.
• The Board recognises the importance of pronunciation in te reo, and macrons support both pronunciation and meaning. Therefore, the Board follows the orthographic conventions created by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission)
• We consult with relevant agencies, local communities, stakeholders, and iwi. We research all proposals and encourage the use of original Māori names.
• Once official, place names must be used in all official documents, like road signs, maps, websites, and databases.
• Information about official and recorded place names is available in the New Zealand Gazetteer.