Introduction
In recent news, the proposed name change for National Park Village has sparked concerns for Tauranga-based business, Waimarino Adventure Park. The Uenuku iwi and the central North Island iwi collective, Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, have called for the village and its railway station to revert to its original name, Waimarino. While the Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board has supported the name change proposal, it has raised worries for Waimarino Adventure Park and its owner, Blair Anderson. In this article, we will explore the potential impact of this name change on the business and the local community.
The Significance of Waimarino Adventure Park
Waimarino Adventure Park, nestled on the outskirts of Tauranga alongside the tranquil Wairoa River, has been an integral part of the local community for over 50 years. Founded by Barry and Barbara Anderson, the park has become synonymous with its Māori name, Waimarino, meaning calm waters. This name holds great cultural and historical significance, as it was gifted to the adventure park and its land in the 1970s by an Ngati Kahu kaumatua.
The Concerns of Waimarino Adventure Park
Owner Blair Anderson voiced his concerns over the potential confusion that may arise if National Park Village reverts to the name Waimarino. As the park has been building its brand around the name Waimarino for half a century, any change could create confusion among both domestic and international customers. Anderson explained that if other businesses were to adopt the name Waimarino, it would further exacerbate the issue.
“We’ve got a strong brand, but we still work at that every single day. We don’t want to come across that we’re not respecting the heritage of the land [at Waimarino Village],” expressed Anderson, highlighting the importance of maintaining the park’s unique identity.
The Response from Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa Secretary, Wendy Shaw, acknowledged the concerns raised by Waimarino Adventure Park. When making decisions on proposed name changes, the board takes into account potential confusion with existing place names. Shaw explained that directly contacting every individual or business affected by a proposed change would be impossible. However, the board strives to make the proposal widely known through public notices, media releases, and social media.
The Historical Significance of Waimarino
Chairperson Aiden Gilbert of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua emphasized the historical significance of the name Waimarino. He stated that Waimarino has always been known as such by iwi Māori in the area, and the name National Park is merely an acknowledgement of the two national parks in the vicinity, Tongariro National Park and Whanganui National Park.
Gilbert raised an interesting point regarding the concerns of Waimarino Adventure Park, suggesting that if confusion is the main issue, the business could consider adding “Tauranga” to their name. However, Anderson firmly stated that they are Waimarino and would not consider such a change.
Working Towards a Solution
While Waimarino Adventure Park is not opposed to the name change, they are concerned about the potential impact on all stakeholders. Anderson expressed his disappointment in the lack of direct communication from Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa, stating that they only learned about the proposal through the media. However, the park has submitted their concerns to the board and hopes to work collaboratively towards a solution that respects both the heritage of the land and the businesses operating in the area.
Public Consultation and Submissions
Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa initiated a three-month public consultation period on November 7th to gather feedback on the proposed name change. To date, they have received 694 submissions regarding the change of National Park Village to Waimarino and 80 submissions regarding the renaming of National Park Station to Waimarino Railway Station. The consultation period will close on February 8th, and interested parties can make submissions on the official LINZ website 1.
Conclusion
The potential name change from National Park Village to Waimarino has raised concerns for Waimarino Adventure Park and its owner, Blair Anderson. The park has built its brand around the name Waimarino for over 50 years, and any change could create confusion among customers. While the Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board has supported the name change proposal, Waimarino Adventure Park hopes to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to find a solution that respects the heritage of the land and the businesses operating in the area.
Note: This article is a creative reinterpretation of the referenced articles and does not contain any duplicate content from the original sources.
References
Keywords: Waimarino Adventure Park, National Park Village, name change, Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa, concerns, confusion, collaboration, public consultation, submissions.
Footnotes
- LINZ – Land Information New Zealand. (n.d.). Consultations. Retrieved from https://www.linz.govt.nz/consultations ↩