Last week I read with utter disbelief about a decision made by the Land Information Minister to officially name the country's two main islands the North and South islands – or the te reo names Te Ika-a-Maui (north), and Te Waipounamu (south).
Apparently, the naming process came about because we hadn't officially named the islands yet – but now what they've been officially named is what we've called them for decades.
Further, I read, the New Zealand Geographic Board says a total cost of recommending the names couldn't be quantified 'due to the several years the proposals have been under consideration” but it estimates the proposal's notification and advertising this year cost $6161.37 and the board also paid two contractors $3012.20 for helping process submissions.
I cannot believe this. If the names weren't official, couldn't they have been signed off in Parliament by the Governor General? What a waste of time and money to officially name the islands the same names – they've featured on maps all around the world for decades.
I have no problem with Maori versions of the names being included but I think the process of officially naming the islands is absurd really. This country's taxpayers work their butts off to make a living – and pay taxes doing so – just for bureaucracies to spend money willy nilly on official namings.
A similar case happened in Whangarei in 2007 when the same New Zealand Geographic Board decided Hatea River should be re-named Hātea River. Initially, it was to be renamed Hoteo River.
This was found to be a 'spelling mistake”, and the re-spell occurred. The Whangarei District Council even debated holding a referendum on the issue, which could have cost up to $80,000 had it gone ahead. I'm unsure of the full cost of this particular name change, but the same concern is felt here.
Why are we spending so much taxpayer money on such things? Surely, there are more pressing projects that require funding?

R Shaw, Te Puna.