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A Maori member on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council says the adoption of a Maori name is a sign of the organisation’s increasing focus on working with Maori.
Awanuiarangi Black says as treaty settlements come through, such as the recent one with Ngai Tuhoe and an impending settlement with Tauranga Moana iwi, the council has realised Maori need to be a priority.
He says the new alternate name Toi Moana reflects aspects of the area and the fact almost 40 percent of the population is Maori.
"I think we have captured it well and captured it in a way that honours the role of what council does, where we are. In the not too distant future I think Toi Moana will become the preferred name because it rolls off the tongue easily," Mr Black says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH AWANUIARANGI BLACK CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjMyMjg=
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