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There’s division in the Hutt Valley about naming the new sports and community centre in Taita.
The centre includes the revamped Walter Nash Stadium, and some in the community want the whole complex to carry the name of the former Labour prime minister who played a huge role in developing the state housing that is a feature of the area.
Waiwhetu marae elder Kara Puketapu says that’s the name the local runanga supports.
But Wellington Tenths Trust chair Morrie Love wants it called Te Mako, after the name of a nearby pa in Naenae with links to Wi Tako Ngatata Te Taitai, after whom Taita was named.
The city council’s northern ward committee, which will make the decision, is considering combining the two names, but some members argue this will devalue the Nash name.
More than half of the suburb’s population is Maori or Polynesian, but there are very few Maori street names.
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