October 01, 2012
Taupo council ducks decision on Turangi names
Taupo District Council has put off a decision to change the names of several Turangi streets and reserves.
Mayor Rick Cooper says it was unfair to ask the nine councilors to make a spot decision when they hadn’t been involved in the process.
After consultation with Ngati Turangitukua, the Turangi community board recommended the changes to correct some misspellings and to add some names significant to the hapu.
Mr Cooper says since the name changes are part of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process, central rather than local government should pay for any new street signs.
The council resolved to hold a workshop on the issue for council, immediate families of those whose names will be dropped from the streets, and Ngati Turangitukua.